working towards having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working towards having" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing goals or objectives that involve achieving a certain state or possession over time. Example: "We are working towards having a more sustainable business model by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Cutting out more middlemen to achieve greater autonomy is "what we've been working towards having for a long time", he says.

The Guardian - Music

But for now, he'll have his hands full working towards having his claim to Bir Tawil recognised by Egypt, Sudan, and the international community, for it to be validated.

The Guardian

Those on the other side of the dotMobi fence asked if it isn't just confusing to have yet more domain names when, ultimately, the industry is working towards having a single website that works on any platform.

The Guardian

A year-and-a-half ago we announced the "Open Screen Project" [a group of technology companies working towards having Flash run on all kinds of devices].

Forbes

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said the two provinces are working towards having as similar frameworks as possible.

Vice

If those at the vanguard continue working towards having one, and show that they can make it happen, Congress and the Supreme Court will blink first, and the remedies I'm proposing (or ones kindred to them) will fast become the new standard operating procedure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Everything that she had spent a career working towards had come to a halt on that Sunday afternoon on the most famous course of all.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have just received news that a few hours ago the event we have all been waiting for and working towards has happened," the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said of the signing of the deal during a televised meeting with Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and its defence minister, Sergei Shoigu.

The Guardian

The monograph is still the thing: anyone who wants to be taken seriously as a scholar in the humanities should work towards having one.

The Guardian

When having increasing oral health problems, Andrew worked towards having an adequate food intake.

Clinical interventions in aging

Data seems to suggest that medical training institutions in Kenya need to work towards having a higher involvement of stakeholders in their curricula design and development process to achieve educational goals defined for medical students.

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working towards having", ensure the context clearly indicates a gradual or ongoing process aimed at achieving a specific goal or state of possession.

Common error

Avoid using "working towards having" when referring to something already possessed. The phrase implies an ongoing effort, not a current state. Instead of "We are working towards having a finished product", when the product is in your hands say: "We now have a finished product".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working towards having" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a complement to a verb or a subject of a sentence. It describes an ongoing effort or process directed at achieving a certain state or possession, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working towards having" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing effort to achieve a desired state or possession. While versatile, its suitability varies depending on the context and desired formality. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. Remember, "working towards having" suggests a process, so avoid using it for things already possessed or achieved. For alternative wording consider "striving to achieve" or "aiming to obtain" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working to acquire

Similar meaning, but shorter and more direct phrasing.

striving to achieve

Focuses on the effort and ambition involved in reaching a goal.

aiming to obtain

Emphasizes the intention and purpose of acquiring something.

taking steps to gain

Highlights the progressive actions taken to achieve a desired result.

endeavoring to possess

Highlights a more formal and determined attempt to gain ownership.

making progress toward

Emphasizes forward movement and advancement in obtaining something.

seeking to secure

Focuses on the act of trying to ensure or guarantee a desired outcome.

pursuing the acquisition of

Underscores the active pursuit and process of obtaining something.

moving in the direction of

Suggests a general course of action aimed at a specific goal.

preparing to receive

Highlights the anticipation and readiness for something to be obtained.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "working towards having" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "striving to achieve", "aiming to obtain", or "endeavoring to possess", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "working towards having" and simply "having"?

"Working towards having" indicates an ongoing process or effort to achieve something in the future, while "having" implies current possession. For example, "We are working towards having a sustainable business model" means the model is not yet fully sustainable, whereas "We are having a sustainable business model" means it already is.

Is "working towards having" appropriate for short-term goals?

While not incorrect, "working towards having" is often better suited for long-term or complex goals that require sustained effort. For short-term goals, consider using phrases like "preparing to receive" or "getting ready to have".

Can I use "working towards having" in a negative context?

Yes, you can use "working towards having" in a negative context by indicating the absence of something desired. For instance, "We are working towards having fewer errors in our code" implies a current state of having more errors than desired, and efforts are being made to reduce them.