gather momentum — grow stronger
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
to gradually become stronger, faster, or more successful
Say it like a native
Textbook The initiative is progressively accruing impetus.
Native The campaign is starting to gather momentum.
'Gather momentum' is the natural phrase for growing force; 'accruing impetus' is pretentious.
Pattern: something gathers momentum
In use
- The campaign slowly gathered momentum after it went viral.society
- Movements like recycling took years to gather momentum, but now they feel completely normal.IELTS Part 3
Common mistake
✗ The movement gathered a momentum.
✓ The movement gathered momentum.
'Momentum' is uncountable — no 'a'.
Common collocations
gather momentum— gather momentum, build momentum, gain momentum, quickly
Don't confuse it
About something growing in force over time, not a single quick change.