making strides toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making strides toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate progress or improvement in a particular area or towards a specific goal. Example: "The organization is making strides toward reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

So even if I don't win a major this year, hopefully I'll keep making strides toward becoming a better player".

The New York Times - Sports

Iran is also making strides toward developing long-range missiles that could be armed with nuclear warheads.

The New York Times

"To finish it off in the fourth the way we did was indicative of a team that's making strides toward doing the right thing".

The New York Times - Sports

And since the network has been making strides toward obtaining more and more of its own financing through the NJN Foundation, Senator Allen said, it has been enjoying greater bipartisan support.

The New York Times

In a conference call yesterday, she told investors that Lucent failed to meet its revenue expectations by a large margin, but she also assured them it was making strides toward becoming profitable.

The New York Times

Fellow business owners, as well as his four grown sons, who all work for him, often told him he needed to delegate more responsibility, he says, and he said he was making strides toward that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Since 1999, most countries have made strides toward reducing poverty.

The Economist

The school has made strides toward racial diversity.

The New York Times

Rwanda made strides toward building political unity and reconstructing its economy in 2008.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several companies have made strides toward commercial production but have not yet gotten there.

The New York Times

Though Kabila made strides toward peace, his actions were not without opposition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making strides toward" when you want to emphasize notable progress, rather than just general effort. For instance, "The company is making strides toward sustainability" suggests significant achievements already made.

Common error

Avoid using "making strides toward" when the progress is minimal or uncertain. It's better to use phrases like "exploring options for" or "considering a path toward" if the advancement is preliminary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making strides toward" functions as a verbal phrase indicating active progress or advancement in a specific direction. It is generally used to describe ongoing efforts that are yielding positive results. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making strides toward" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote noticeable progress in a particular direction. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and well-suited for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains. While alternatives like "progressing towards" or "advancing toward" exist, "making strides toward" often conveys a stronger sense of momentum. When using this phrase, ensure that the progress is significant enough to warrant the description, and be mindful of the context to maintain a neutral and informative tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressing towards

Synonymous replacement, emphasizing ongoing development.

taking steps toward

Highlights specific actions and initiatives.

advancing toward

Replaces "making strides" with a single verb, simplifying the expression.

gaining ground toward

Suggests overcoming obstacles while advancing.

moving forward toward

Highlights the direction of movement in achieving a goal.

developing toward

Focuses on the gradual evolution and growth.

heading toward

Emphasizes direction and intention.

approaching

Implies getting closer to a specific target or objective.

getting closer to

Similar to 'approaching', but more informal.

working toward

Focuses on the effort and activity involved.

FAQs

How can I use "making strides toward" in a sentence?

Use "making strides toward" to describe significant advancements or progress being made in a particular direction. For example, "The team is "making strides toward" completing the project ahead of schedule".

What are some alternatives to "making strides toward"?

You can use alternatives such as "progressing towards", "advancing toward", or "gaining ground toward" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "making strides toward" or "making progress toward"?

Both phrases are correct, but "making strides toward" often implies more significant or noticeable progress than "making progress toward". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of advancement you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "making strides toward" and "taking steps toward"?

"Taking steps toward" emphasizes the specific actions being taken, while ""making strides toward"" emphasizes the overall progress and momentum. "Taking steps" focuses on the process; "making strides" focuses on the outcome.