making its way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making its way" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a process that is taking time and effort to move forward. For example: "The tiny seedling was making its way through the hard soil, determined to reach the sunlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But now it's making its way to other devices.

Forbes

Numerous laboratory studies have confirmed this approach and it is making its way to the clinic.

British Journal of Cancer

Now it's even making its way into music.

The Guardian - Music

But it's finally making its way onto Hacker News.

TechCrunch

It will be making its way down the bridges on its way to Calton Hill.

BBC

It's now making its way toward the United States.

Vice

Legislation to give it permission to do so is making its way through Congress.

The Economist

It was a point of view making its way around Paris just then.

The New Yorker

was making its way to the screen.

The New York Times

Humanity was making its way toward us.

The New Yorker

A city practically under water, making its way back.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making its way" to illustrate the gradual progression or dissemination of an object, idea, or phenomenon over time and through different locations or stages. For instance, "The innovative technology is making its way into various industries".

Common error

Avoid using "making its way" when describing instantaneous events or situations lacking a sense of gradual progression. For example, instead of saying "The light was making its way through the window the moment it opened", use a more immediate verb like "streamed" or "shone".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making its way" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing process or progression. Ludwig AI, confirmed this to be correct. It specifies how something is advancing or moving forward, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "making its way" is a versatile and frequently used gerund phrase that describes a gradual process of movement or progression. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. The phrase conveys the idea of something advancing or spreading over time, and can be used both literally and metaphorically. While alternatives such as "progressing", "advancing", and "moving forward" exist, "making its way" offers a unique nuance that emphasizes the ongoing nature of the movement. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the concept of gradual progression and avoids describing instantaneous events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving forward

Emphasizes the act of moving in a forward direction, sometimes suggesting overcoming obstacles.

underway

Implies that something has started and is in progress, omitting any specification of a path or destination.

progressing

Focuses on the forward movement, omitting the specification of a path or destination.

in motion

Suggests something is actively moving or being moved.

advancing

Highlights forward motion, but might imply a more forceful or strategic movement.

proceeding

Indicates a continuation or a forward movement, often in a formal or structured manner.

gaining ground

Implies progress towards a goal, suggesting overcoming competition or resistance.

on the rise

Indicates an increase in popularity, influence, or success, but not necessarily physical movement.

on track

Highlights that something is progressing according to a plan or schedule.

developing

Focuses on the process of growth or evolution, rather than physical movement.

FAQs

How can I use "making its way" in a sentence?

Use "making its way" to describe something gradually progressing or spreading. For example, "The news is "making its way" through the town".

What are some alternatives to "making its way"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "progressing", "advancing", or "moving forward".

Is "making its way" formal or informal?

"Making its way" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase.

What's the difference between "making its way" and "makes its way"?

"Making its way" is a continuous or ongoing action (gerund), whereas "makes its way" is a simple present tense verb, typically describing a habitual or general action. For instance, "The river "makes its way" to the sea" describes a general truth, while "The floodwater is "making its way" through the streets" describes a current event.