substantial headway

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Participants in last year's program made substantial headway in a number of areas.

Princeton University

"When you look at the data, yes, we have made substantial headway," said Hugh Price, the league's president.

The New York Times

[C3.] Women Make Gains in Silicon Valley A new survey indicates that working women have made substantial headway in Silicon Valley and that career optimism is high.

The New York Times

Labour tried – and failed – to make substantial headway with social care funding in the good times, as well as the bad.

The Guardian

Making some substantial headway, and taking the ability of aspiring black coaches seriously, should mean fewer unrealized ambitions and unrewarded talents like John Eason in years to come.

The New Yorker

A1 American Mediator Presses On Two attacks in Israel and heavy gunfire in Bethlehem marked the fourth day of Gen. Anthony C. Zinni's diplomacy, but the American envoy appeared to make substantial headway toward brokering a cease-fire.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

We made some real headway.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were soon making significant headway.

The New York Times

I thought I was making real headway".

Los Angeles Times

Even though the proposal didn't happen that night, some say it is just a matter of time before the "Kiss Cam" will capture such a moment, as gay rights advocates are making substantial legal headway on marriage equality and as same-sex engagements are being celebrated more publicly.

The New York Times - Sports

Neither side has made significant lasting headway.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial headway" when you want to emphasize that significant progress has been made, especially in challenging situations or complex projects.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial headway" if the progress is minimal or merely incremental. The phrase implies a noticeable and significant advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial headway" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb like "make" or "achieve". It describes the degree of progress made in a particular endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial headway" is a phrase used to describe significant progress or advancement. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, with examples spanning news, academic, and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "significant progress" and "considerable advancement". It's important to use this phrase when real, noticeable progress has been made. Ludwig’s analysis indicates that the phrase is suitable for formal and neutral registers, making it versatile for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant progress

Emphasizes the degree of advancement achieved.

considerable advancement

Highlights the extent of the forward movement.

major breakthrough

Suggests a significant discovery or turning point.

notable strides

Implies significant steps forward, emphasizing effort.

marked improvement

Focuses on the positive change observed.

significant development

Highlights the importance of the progress made.

real advancement

Highlights the tangibility of the advancement achieved.

material gains

Emphasizes the concrete benefits obtained.

good progress

Is a more general and less emphatic way to describe the advancement.

large steps forward

Emphasizes magnitude of the advancements made.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial headway" to indicate significant progress. For example, "The team has made "substantial headway" in developing the new software.".

What are some alternatives to "substantial headway"?

Alternatives include "significant progress", "considerable advancement", or "major breakthrough", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "substantial headway" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial headway" is suitable for formal writing, especially in reports, academic papers, and business communications.

What's the difference between "substantial headway" and "slight progress"?

"Substantial headway" indicates significant advancement, while "slight progress" suggests only minimal or incremental gains. They are used to describe different degrees of progress.