to gain ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"to gain ground" is a perfectly correct phrase which can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express making progress, increasing influence, or expanding reach. For example: The politician's continued campaigning is helping her to gain ground in the polls.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They have continued to gain ground.

The New York Times

But with mounting bills, she cannot seem to gain ground.

The New York Times

Dissenters Make Gains Eventually, the critics began to gain ground.

The New York Times

It also appears to be allowing competitors to gain ground.

The New York Times

His ­presence in my life began to gain ground and his absence fell away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But housebuilders continue to gain ground after this week's results from Persimmon, up 48p at £19.18.

The Guardian - Business

So far, Microsoft has failed to gain ground against the dominant search provider Google.

The New York Times

Hewlett-Packard was one of only three Dow stocks to gain ground.

The New York Times

The poll also shows Labour failing to gain ground on the key issue of economic credibility.

The Guardian

And for the first time since 2002, the index failed to gain ground during December.

The Guardian - Business

Supermarkets were under pressure as discount rivals continued to gain ground on the major players.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive scenario, use "to gain ground" to emphasize progress made against rivals. For example, "The new product launch helped the company to gain ground on its main competitor."

Common error

Avoid using "to gain ground" when simply referring to physical movement. The phrase implies progress or advancement, not just covering distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to gain ground" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. Ludwig's examples show its usage in describing progress in various contexts, from military advances to market competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to gain ground" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies making progress or achieving an advantage in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and broad applicability make it suitable for both formal and informal writing. It is often found in news and business contexts, and while it shares semantic similarities with phrases like "make headway" or "advance", it carries a specific connotation of overcoming challenges or competition. Understanding its nuances helps ensure effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make headway

This alternative focuses on the forward movement and progress being made.

to advance

This suggests a forward movement or improvement in position or status.

to progress

This term highlights the continuous development and improvement over time.

to improve one's position

This alternative specifies the enhancement of one's standing or rank.

to make strides

This indicates significant progress or advancements being achieved.

to move forward

This emphasizes the act of advancing from a starting point.

to get ahead

This implies surpassing others or achieving a more favorable position.

to gain an advantage

This focuses on obtaining a beneficial edge over competitors or obstacles.

to build momentum

This suggests increasing the rate of progress or force of impact.

to expand one's reach

This highlights the widening of influence or scope of operations.

FAQs

How can I use "to gain ground" in a sentence?

You can use "to gain ground" to describe making progress in a competitive situation, such as "The team worked hard to "gain ground" in the standings".

What's a similar phrase to "to gain ground"?

Alternatives include "make headway", "advance", or "progress", all suggesting forward movement or improvement.

Is "to gain ground" formal or informal?

"To gain ground" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, suitable for news articles, business reports, and casual conversations alike.

How does "to gain ground" differ from "to hold ground"?

"To gain ground" means making progress and advancing, while "to hold ground" implies maintaining a current position and preventing losses.