Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm making progress
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I'm making progress".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm making progress," Jeter said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"Maybe I'm making progress.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

I think I'm making progress.

Academia

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And I think I'm making progress.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Every day I'm making progress.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

I was making progress.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But I knew I was making progress.

News & Media

The New York Times

I sensed I was making progress.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"She felt I was making progress with my interior-design business.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I still have a lot of pain, but I am making progress," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, follow this phrase with specific details or metrics to provide weight to your claim, such as "I'm making progress on the quarterly report".

Common error

In English, the verb "make" is the standard collocation for "progress". Using "doing progress" is a common mistake for non-native speakers. Always stick to "making progress" to sound natural and correct.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm making progress" functions as a declarative clause in the present continuous tense. It consists of a subject ("I"), a contracted auxiliary verb ("'m" for am), a present participle ("making"), and a direct object ("progress"). According to Ludwig, this structure is used to describe an ongoing action that is currently resulting in advancement or improvement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

Less common in

Science

Social Media

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'm making progress" is a highly versatile and grammatically standard expression used to signal ongoing improvement. Data from Ludwig shows that it appears frequently in elite publications like The New York Times and BBC, often used by public figures, athletes, and professionals to provide updates on their status. Linguistically, it relies on the specific collocation of "make" and "progress", and users should be careful to avoid using "do" with this noun. Whether you are discussing a recovery from injury, a complex work project, or a personal habit, "I'm making progress" serves as a clear and effective way to communicate that your efforts are moving in the right direction. For more formal variety, consider alternatives like "making headway" or "advancing".

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm making headway

Uses a nautical metaphor suggesting forward movement against resistance, often slightly more formal.

I'm moving forward

Emphasizes the direction of the progress rather than the substance of the advancement.

I'm getting there

A more idiomatic and informal way to suggest one is nearing a goal or making steady improvement.

I'm making strides

Implies making rapid or significant steps forward rather than just incremental progress.

I'm gaining ground

Idiomatic expression often used when catching up or overcoming a disadvantage.

I'm seeing results

Shifts the focus from the action of progressing to the tangible outcomes of that effort.

I'm on the right track

Focuses on the correctness of the method or direction rather than the speed or amount of progress.

I'm improving

A broader term that can apply to quality, skill, or health without specifically mentioning the 'process' of making.

Progress is being made

Uses the passive voice to distance the speaker from the action, appearing more objective or formal.

I'm advancing

A more direct and slightly more formal verb choice to describe forward movement.

FAQs

How do I use "I'm making progress" in a sentence?

You can use it alone to provide a status update or follow it with a prepositional phrase like "on" or "with". For example, "I'm making progress on my research paper" or "I'm making progress with my physical therapy".

What is the difference between "I'm making progress" and "I'm moving forward"?

While both imply advancement, "making progress" often implies qualitative improvement or overcoming obstacles, whereas "moving forward" is more about temporal or directional movement toward a goal.

What can I say instead of "I'm making progress" in a formal email?

In formal contexts, you might prefer more precise phrases like "making headway", "advancing" or "showing improvement".

Is it correct to say "I'm making a progress"?

No, "progress" is an uncountable (mass) noun in this context. You should not use the indefinite article "a". Use "making progress" or specify the amount, such as "I'm making significant progress".

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Continue with Googlefor free

Continue with emailfor free

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

1-200 1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 7k 10k 20k 40k 100k 200k 500k 0m-3 0m-4 1m-1 1m-2 1m-3 1m-4

I'm making progressGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm making progress
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples