a little progress

USAGE SUMMARY

'a little progress' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small but positive development in a particular situation. For example: "Despite the difficulties they faced, the team was able to make a little progress on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There has, however, been a little progress.

The New York Times

He has made a little progress.

The Economist

Even a little progress is something.

Columbia University

Just a little progress on jobs, schools, and health care.

The Economist

"Every day, we make a little progress," he said.

The New York Times

Under the Obama administration, we made a little progress on getting national label enhancements.

Columbia University

They have made a little progress on the social-cultural matters.

The New York Times

In office for two years, Mr Fashola can claim a little progress.

The Economist

"As a city we've made a little progress – but not much".

The Guardian

Professor Tom Kirkwood has written: "There is a little progress with age-related diseases".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"South Africa is a beautiful country," she says, flashing an iridescent smile, "and we've seen a little progress--a little.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little progress" to acknowledge small but significant steps toward a larger goal. It's particularly effective when tempering expectations or recognizing effort in challenging situations.

Common error

Avoid using "a little progress" when the advancement is substantial. Doing so can undermine the actual achievement and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or after a preposition. Ludwig examples showcase it denoting an advancement, improvement, or positive development, though not a substantial one. The phrase is used to describe an incremental movement towards a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little progress" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe a small amount of advancement or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is particularly effective when acknowledging incremental steps toward a larger goal, and its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it is mostly used in News & Media, Academia, Science, it's important to avoid overstating the significance of the advancement when using this phrase. Related alternatives include "slight advancement" and "modest improvement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight advancement

Replaces "little" with "slight", emphasizing the small degree of progress.

small gains

Substitutes "progress" with "gains", focusing on the positive results achieved.

modest improvement

Emphasizes the limited nature of the positive change.

incremental development

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the progress.

limited headway

Replaces "progress" with "headway", suggesting forward movement despite obstacles.

minor strides

Focuses on the small steps taken forward.

some forward movement

A more descriptive alternative, highlighting the direction of change.

a touch of progress

Replaces "little" with "touch", emphasizing the subtlety of the progress.

marginal growth

Highlights the small degree of expansion or increase.

a degree of success

Shifts the focus from progress to a measure of achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "a little progress" in a sentence?

You can use "a little progress" to indicate that some advancement has been made, even if it is not a lot. For example: "Despite the setbacks, we've made "a little progress" on the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "a little progress"?

Alternatives include "slight advancement", "modest improvement", or "small gains" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a little progresses"?

No, the word "progress" is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form in standard English. The correct form is "a little progress."

What's the difference between "a little progress" and "a lot of progress"?

"A little progress" indicates a small amount of advancement, whereas "a lot of progress" suggests a significant amount of advancement. The choice depends on the degree of advancement you want to convey.