Progressing toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Progressing toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of moving forward or making advancements in a particular direction or goal. Example: "The team is progressing toward their target of completing the project by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may be "progressive," but that's only because they're progressing toward approximately 1831.

Vice

He may also be gradually progressing toward a nuclear weapons capability.

The New York Times

If it moves from the cone's tip to its base, a piece is progressing toward dissonance.

MIT Technology Review

Clinical trial designs for targeted therapy development are progressing toward the goal of personalized medicine.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

The New Horizons mission is progressing toward its planned launch in January 2006.

Acta Astronautica

Until recently, a patient like Carolyn E. Hoard would never have been told she was progressing toward Alzheimer's disease.

The New York Times

The sense of progressing toward a harmonic or structural goal found in music of the modern Western tradition was absent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As several MOFs are mechanically milled, they transition through different structures, progressing toward denser and more energetically stable polymorphs.

The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics

Flip chip technology is steadily progressing toward smaller devices and higher IO count which leads to smaller bumps and bonds.

Microelectronics Reliability

"We would not be willing to continue a relationship where the books aren't progressing toward being clean.

The New York Times

He has written a string of best sellers, many detailing his view of evolution as progressing toward greater complexity.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "progressing toward" to indicate continuous movement or development in the direction of a specific goal or objective. This phrase is particularly effective when describing ongoing processes or initiatives.

Common error

Instead of using "progressing toward" use phrases like "achieved", "completed", or "finalized". "Progressing toward" implies an ongoing action rather than a finished result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressing toward" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating movement or development in a specific direction. It often describes an ongoing process or the state of an entity moving closer to a particular goal, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "progressing toward" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate movement or development in a particular direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in science, news and media, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring that the subject is indeed in a state of ongoing advancement rather than having reached a final conclusion. Alternatives such as "advancing towards", "moving toward", and "working towards" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Advancing towards

Similar in meaning, this phrase replaces "progressing" with "advancing", emphasizing forward movement.

Moving toward

A more straightforward alternative, focusing on the act of moving in a particular direction.

Heading toward

Implies a specific course or path being followed to reach a destination.

Working towards

Emphasizes the effort and labor involved in making progress.

Developing towards

Highlights the process of growth and evolution in reaching a goal.

Evolving toward

Suggests a gradual transformation or change over time.

Approaching

Focuses on getting closer to a specific point or objective.

Making strides toward

Indicates significant advancements or notable progress.

Gaining ground toward

Implies overcoming obstacles and making progress in a competitive environment.

On track to

A more idiomatic expression indicating that progress is being made as planned.

FAQs

How can I use "progressing toward" in a sentence?

"Progressing toward" indicates movement or development in a specific direction. For example, "The project is progressing toward completion", meaning the project is moving closer to being finished.

What are some alternatives to "progressing toward"?

You can use alternatives like "advancing towards", "moving toward", or "working towards" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "progressing to" instead of "progressing toward"?

While "progressing to" can be used, it often implies a transition to a new stage or level, whereas "progressing toward" suggests movement in a general direction. The best choice depends on the intended meaning. For instance, "The company is progressing to a new business model" is correct, but does not have the same meaning as "The company is progressing toward its goals".

What's the difference between "progressing toward" and "approaching"?

"Progressing toward" implies ongoing development in a direction, while "approaching" suggests getting closer to a specific point or event. "We are progressing toward a solution" means we're making headway. "We are approaching the deadline" means the deadline is getting closer.