making headway

USAGE SUMMARY

"making headway" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about making progress, usually with a difficult task or challenge. For example, "We are making headway in identifying the cause of the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they are making headway.

The New York Times

And he is making headway.

The New York Times

"We are making headway.

The Guardian

They seem to be making headway.

The Economist

They appear to be making headway.

The Economist

Still, I was making headway.

The New York Times

No wonder he's making headway.

The Washington Post

But I was making headway.

The Guardian

A few researchers are making headway.

The Guardian

Untraditional menus are making headway, though.

The New York Times - Tech

And he appeared to be making headway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "making headway" with specific details about the area of progress to strengthen the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "making headway" when only minimal or uncertain progress has been achieved. Ensure actual, measurable steps have been taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making headway" functions as a verbal phrase indicating ongoing progress or advancement. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it is used to describe positive movement towards a goal, such as in negotiations, research, or project completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making headway" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of progress or advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse communication scenarios, while alternatives like "gaining ground" or "making progress" offer subtle variations in meaning. Use it to highlight significant steps towards a goal, and be mindful of avoiding overstatement when progress is minimal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining ground

Focuses on the idea of gradually advancing or improving one's position.

making progress

A general term for advancing toward a goal, suitable in most contexts.

advancing steadily

Emphasizes the consistent and incremental nature of the progress.

moving forward

Indicates a general sense of advancement, often used in project management.

getting somewhere

A more informal way to express that progress is being made.

turning the corner

Suggests overcoming a significant obstacle and entering a phase of improvement.

on the right track

Implies that the current approach is leading to positive results.

seeing results

Highlights the tangible outcomes of efforts.

building momentum

Focuses on the increasing speed and force of progress.

forging ahead

Implies a determined and resolute effort to make progress, often in the face of challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "making headway" in a sentence?

You can use "making headway" to indicate progress on a task or project. For example, "The team is making headway on the new marketing campaign".

What is a good alternative to "making headway"?

Alternatives include "gaining ground", "making progress", or "advancing steadily". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "making headway" or "make headway"?

"Making headway" is the progressive form, indicating continuous progress. "Make headway" is the base form. Use "making headway" to describe ongoing progress. For instance, "We are making headway," and "make headway" to express the general possibility of progress, for instance "We hope to make headway on this issue soon".

What does it mean to "lose headway"?

To "lose headway" is the opposite of making headway. It means to lose momentum or to regress after having made progress. This idiom is less common than "making headway".