some headway

USAGE SUMMARY

"some headway" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe progress or advancement made towards a goal or task, often in a difficult or complex situation. It conveys the idea of making some progress, but not yet reaching the desired outcome. Example: Despite facing numerous obstacles, the team has made some headway in their project and is on track to meet the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Opponents have made some headway.

The New York Times

"You can make some headway".

The New York Times

"We have to start making some headway".

The New York Times - Sports

The Cougars are making some headway.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems to be making some headway.

The Guardian

Yet international yacht brands have started to make some headway.

The New York Times

We are making some headway on cross-border co-operation.

Independent

On that, they seemed to make some headway.

The New York Times

Anecdotally, though, Mr. Obama seems to have made some headway.

The New York Times

Johnnie Beattie finally makes some headway, but England stay strong.

The Guardian - Sport

"Then we'll have a chance to really make some headway".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about achievements, quantify "some headway" with specific metrics or examples to show the extent of the progress.

Common error

Avoid using "some headway" when the progress is substantial or near completion. It can downplay significant achievements. Use stronger terms like "significant progress" or "nearing completion" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some headway" functions as a noun phrase indicating a degree of progress made towards a goal. Ludwig examples show its use in describing advancements in various contexts, from sports to politics. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some headway" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a degree of progress has been made. Analysis of Ludwig examples and AI confirmation shows its widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. The phrase serves to communicate that efforts are yielding results, even if the final goal is not yet reached. Remember to use it when progress is noticeable but not substantial, and avoid overstating achievements. Use instead "making progress", "gaining ground", or "making inroads" if you need an alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making progress

Focuses on the general act of advancing, without specifying the amount of progress.

gaining ground

Implies overcoming opposition or competition while moving forward.

making inroads

Suggests initial progress in a challenging or resistant environment.

gaining traction

Highlights increasing momentum or support in the progress.

achieving partial success

Highlights that the success is not complete or total.

turning a corner

Suggests a significant positive change in the progress.

advancing incrementally

Emphasizes slow, steady progress in small steps.

getting somewhere

An informal way of saying progress is being made.

seeing limited success

Indicates that the progress made is not as significant as hoped.

making a start

Focuses on the beginning stages of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "some headway" to indicate that progress is being made, but the final goal hasn't been achieved yet. For example, "Despite the challenges, we've made "some headway" in negotiations."

What can I say instead of "some headway"?

You can use alternatives like "making progress", "gaining ground", or "making inroads" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "some headway" or "significant headway"?

Use ""some headway"" when the progress is limited or moderate. Use "significant headway" when the progress is substantial or noteworthy.

What's the difference between "some headway" and "breakthrough"?

"Some headway" implies gradual progress, while "breakthrough" suggests a sudden, significant advancement that overcomes a major obstacle.