significant headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe making substantial progress or advancements in a particular area or task. Example: "After several months of hard work, we have made significant headway in the development of the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the process, Democrats and unions have made significant headway.

The Guardian - Opinion

In just a few months, she made significant headway.

The New Yorker

Four rounds of talks since last year have failed to make significant headway.

Independent

He said there had been "significant" headway with KAP and the LNP were still open to negotiations with Wellington.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, without first addressing funding reform, it is almost impossible to make significant headway with these other matters.

The Guardian

Dozens of strokes in, neither player had been able to make significant headway, with each anticipating the other's shot.

The New York Times

Over the past three decades, theorists and researchers alike have made significant headway in understanding how working memory functions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Chinese music and theater, traditional and modern, has made significant headway in New York over the last decade, with an influx of composers, performers and directors.

The New York Times - Arts

Given full cooperation, Mr. Blix said that within a year he would likely be able to report significant headway in clearing up discrepancies.

The New York Times

He also knows he must exert pressure on the Israeli authorities in order to make significant headway toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The New York Times

While there are no guarantees in war, I expect that we will make significant headway in the next 18-24 months. 18-24 months

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "significant headway" to describe tangible progress that is both noticeable and impactful. Avoid using it for minor or trivial advancements.

Common error

Avoid using "significant headway" when the progress is minimal or only potential. Ensure the advancement is evident and measurable to justify the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant headway" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb like "make" or "achieve". It describes the degree of progress made in a particular endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant headway" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes substantial progress or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. It is commonly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts, denoting tangible and impactful progress. When using this phrase, ensure that the progress is evident and measurable to avoid overstating the advancements made. Consider using alternatives like "substantial progress" or "considerable advancement" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial progress

Emphasizes the amount of progress made, similar to "significant headway".

considerable advancement

Focuses on the degree of advancement achieved, akin to "significant headway".

marked improvement

Highlights the positive change and progress observed, similar to "significant headway".

major breakthrough

Indicates a significant turning point or discovery, implying substantial progress, and is related to "significant headway".

notable achievement

Stresses the accomplishment resulting from progress, linking to "significant headway".

huge strides

Implies large steps forward, reflecting considerable progress as with "significant headway".

remarkable gains

Focuses on the positive outcomes and progress made, similar to "significant headway".

meaningful development

Highlights the importance and impact of the progress, related to "significant headway".

real advancement

Underscores the genuine progress being made, akin to "significant headway".

positive momentum

Emphasizes the increasing rate of progress, reflecting forward movement associated with "significant headway".

FAQs

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

Use "significant headway" to describe substantial progress made in a specific area. For instance, "The team has made "significant headway" in resolving the technical issues."

What are some alternatives to "significant headway"?

Alternatives include "substantial progress", "considerable advancement", or "marked improvement" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "make significant headway" or "made significant headway"?

Both are correct depending on the tense you want to convey. "Make significant headway" suggests ongoing or future progress, while "made significant headway" indicates progress that has already occurred.

What distinguishes "significant headway" from "incremental progress"?

"Significant headway" denotes a substantial and noticeable advancement, whereas "incremental progress" refers to small, gradual steps forward. "Significant headway" implies a greater impact and more rapid advancement than "incremental progress".