making no headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making no headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress is not being made or where efforts are not yielding results. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we are making no headway in resolving the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

[U.N. envoy Lakhdar] Brahimi has been making no headway diplomatically.

The New York Times

Cameron is making no headway and refusing the debate was a misjudgement.

Independent

The impact left it "undriveable" in Massa's words and the team retired him when he was making no headway.

The Guardian - Sport

The numbers compiled by the Environmental Working Group suggest that in absolute terms, we are basically making no headway on the pollution problem.

The New York Times

She saw the stuck truck ahead, rolling back and forth, back and forth, making no headway, but she climbed aboard the B67 anyway.

The New York Times

Financial markets fell sharply yesterday because of concerns that the government was making no headway persuading lenders to release $3.3 billion in loans.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Negotiations have made no headway so far.

The New York Times

International mediators and Western diplomats have made no headway.

The Economist

Even an articulate, sympathetic lawyer (Campbell Scott) makes no headway.

The New York Times

The summit made no headway in doing so.

The Economist

Unlike at Lord's he could make no headway.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making no headway" to describe situations where efforts are not producing the desired results or progress, particularly when emphasizing a lack of forward movement despite ongoing attempts.

Common error

Avoid using "making no headway" when you actually mean that the situation is deteriorating; the phrase implies stagnation, not regression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making no headway" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a lack of progress or advancement in a particular endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, typically describing situations where efforts are not yielding results.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making no headway" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a lack of progress or advancement, as verified by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in overall usage, it commonly appears in news and media contexts. It is most effectively used to convey stagnation rather than decline. Alternatives include "making no progress" or "getting nowhere". Understanding the nuance of this phrase and its appropriate contexts will enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making no progress

A more direct synonym, highlighting the absence of forward movement.

getting nowhere

An informal way of saying that efforts are not yielding any positive results.

gaining no ground

Emphasizes the lack of territorial or strategic advancement.

not advancing

Highlights the stagnation and lack of movement forward.

at a standstill

Describes a situation where activity or progress has ceased.

achieving nothing

Focuses on the absence of any accomplishments or results.

unable to move forward

Focuses on the inability to proceed or continue.

hitting a wall

Implies encountering an obstacle that prevents further progress.

spinning wheels

Suggests expending energy without achieving any tangible outcome.

deadlocked

Indicates a standstill in negotiations or discussions.

FAQs

What does "making no headway" mean?

The phrase "making no headway" means not making any progress or advancement in a particular situation or endeavor.

How can I use "making no headway" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a lack of progress, like: "Despite our efforts, we are "making no headway" in negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "making no headway"?

Some alternatives include "making no progress", "gaining no ground", or "getting nowhere".

Is it correct to say "make no headway" instead of "making no headway"?

While "making no headway" is the more common and natural phrasing, "make no headway" can be used, especially in certain contexts (e.g., "Middle East diplomacy would make no headway while terror runs rampant").