building momentum

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   gradually gaining more force, support, or speed over time.

   Grammar: Used after be or a verb like keep: 'The campaign is building momentum.' The verb form stays -ing in this phrase.

   Patterns

   • be building momentum
   • keep building momentum
   • building momentum for something
   • building momentum behind something

   The campaign is building momentum as more volunteers join each week.

   Talks between the two sides are building momentum after months of silence.

   Sales have been building momentum since the new ad appeared.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   the process of slowly making an activity stronger or more likely to succeed.

   Grammar: Often used as a noun-like subject: 'Building momentum takes patience.'

   Patterns

   • building momentum takes time
   • the building of momentum

   Building momentum early in the season gave the team real confidence.

   Building momentum in a small business means steady, repeated effort.

Common combinations

gain momentum

The protest gained momentum after the video was shared online.

build momentum for something

They are building momentum for a change in the law.

lose momentum

The project lost momentum when the funding ran out.

gather momentum

The idea slowly gathered momentum among younger voters.

keep the momentum going

We need one more event to keep the momentum going.

Synonyms and how they differ

gaining strength

Focuses on becoming stronger rather than on the steady, step-by-step process that 'building momentum' suggests.

picking up speed

More informal and often about literal or measurable speed, while 'building momentum' can also be about support or opinion.

Opposites

Word family

momentum noun

The force or speed that something has as it moves or develops.

build verb

To make something gradually, or to increase something over time.

Commonly confused: building momentum or momentum?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “building momentum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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