momentum

USAGE SUMMARY

"momentum" is a perfectly valid word in written English.
You can use it to refer to an object's continued motion, an idea that is gaining popularity, or the forward movement of an organization or task. For example, "Our team had a lot of momentum going into the game and it helped us pull out a win."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The human rights organisations who wrote the blueprint say parliamentarians must not let that momentum fade.

The Guardian

Lloris was not part of that squad but the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper recognises the mood change in the country and said that his team-mates are determined to build on their momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

A first defeat since February will do little to still their momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

PBS's Hoppe believes that the transatlantic momentum will continue – she's already looking forward to next year's Emmys.

The Guardian

"It was far better to stop the momentum because it was assumed that if you had a referendum, which was legal, fair and decisive, that it would be decisive and that once you had that, that would be the end of it".

The Guardian

By midnight, after a YouGov poll suggested a 54%-46 54%-46n, the momentum was clearly with the no camp.

The Guardian

But as I heard all this, I couldn't help thinking of how comfortable it is, in a way, for most of us in the west to look at the catastrophe in the Middle East and take the fatalistic view that events have taken on a momentum that is beyond our influence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite rising dissatisfaction with his leadership, Kuchma was re-elected in 1999, but a protest movement calling for his resignation gained momentum in the early 2000s.

The Guardian

As the international effort to find and rescue the girls gathered momentum, with military and intelligence resources from the US, UK, France, Israel and Canada pouring into Nigeria, and the #bringbackourgirls social media campaign exceeded 1m tweets, there was mounting criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan's slow response to the crisis.

The Guardian

The momentum for change on abortion laws has intensified since the Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar died from blood poisoning after a Galway hospital refused to terminate her pregnancy last autumn.

The Guardian

It's a new, breathlessly touted video-streaming platform that has gained huge momentum since its release last month.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like social movements or political campaigns, use "momentum" to convey the idea of increasing support and activity. For example, "The campaign gained significant momentum after the celebrity endorsement."

Common error

Don't confuse "momentum", which refers to sustained force or progress, with "moment", which signifies a brief period of time. Use "momentum" when you want to convey a sense of ongoing and increasing force, not just a single point in time.

Linguistic Context

Momentum primarily functions as a noun, denoting the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as mass times velocity. It also signifies impetus or driving force gained by the development or course of events. Ludwig examples showcase its role in describing progress and force.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Sport

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "momentum" is a noun that refers to the strength or force that allows something to continue or grow stronger. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct. It's frequently used in news, sports, and business contexts to describe progress and forward movement. When using "momentum", remember that it refers to a continuing effect, not just a single instance. Related phrases include "driving force" and "impetus", but it's essential not to confuse "momentum" with "moment", which has a very different meaning. The term is versatile and can be applied to various scenarios, from sports to social movements, making it a valuable word to include in one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impetus

Highlights the initial force or stimulus that starts something moving or progressing.

driving force

Emphasizes the power that initiates and sustains a course of action.

forward drive

Focuses on the sustained effort and direction toward a goal.

onward surge

Illustrates a strong and continuous movement forward.

growing impetus

Indicates an increasing force that propels progress.

sustained energy

Highlights the continuous effort and vitality needed to maintain progress.

building force

Suggests a gradual accumulation of power or influence.

increased velocity

Focuses on the rate of increase in progress or activity.

accumulating speed

Emphasizes the increasing rate at which progress is made.

positive trend

Highlights the direction of development and the favorable progress being made.

FAQs

How can I use "momentum" in a sentence?

You can use "momentum" to describe the force that keeps something moving, like in sports or in a business context. For example, "The team gained momentum in the second half" or "The project is gaining momentum and is expected to launch on time".

What's the difference between "momentum" and "impetus"?

"Momentum" refers to the quantity of motion of a moving body or the impetus gained by an object or event, while "impetus" refers to the force or energy with which a body moves, or the force that makes something happen or happen more quickly. They are similar, but "momentum" suggests a continuing effect.

What can I say instead of "gaining momentum"?

You can use alternatives like "gathering steam", "gaining traction", or "picking up speed" depending on the context. For example, instead of saying "The project is gaining momentum", you could say "The project is "gathering steam"".

Is it correct to say "lose momentum"?

Yes, it is correct. "Lose momentum" means to slow down or lose the force that keeps something moving. For example, "The campaign started strong, but it began to lose momentum after the initial enthusiasm faded".