are chugging along

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are chugging along" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is progressing steadily, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "Despite the challenges, the project team is chugging along and making good progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Things are chugging along," said Ken Sunshine, Mr. Rivera's spokesman.

The New York Times

Some of IAC's older businesses are chugging along.

The New York Times

The interviews are chugging along as the big managerial openings with the Cardinals, Cubs and Red Sox entail differing obstacle courses.

The New York Times

But above all, it should stop using its freight customers to subsidise passenger fares.Many changes designed to meet these challenges are chugging along sedately.

The Economist

At one point the authors suggest that we are "chugging along" just fine with seven billion inhabitants, a finding that the overwhelming majority of scientists would rebuke.

The New York Times - Books

Yes, we're in the official "dog days" of summer and MLS teams are chugging along, rotating squads with each whirr of the ceiling fan, reluctantly giving up players for the Gold Cup and generally just trying to not be mathematically eliminated before the weather cools down a little.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"The van has been chugging along," Mr. Walston said.

The New York Times

What's More The economy is chugging along, but businesses are still holding back on investment.

The New Yorker

Sure, the business was chugging along, with sales increasing by a modest 2% per year.

Harvard Business Review

We seemed to be chugging along, enjoying moderate business cycles and unprecedented global growth.

The New York Times

But once the economy is chugging along, the temptation is to try to get the best of both worlds, by raising rates before prices go up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are chugging along" when you want to convey steady, if not rapid, progress. It's suitable for describing ongoing processes or systems that are functioning reliably.

Common error

Avoid using "are chugging along" in highly formal or academic writing. Its informal tone can undermine the seriousness of your message. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "are progressing" or "are advancing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are chugging along" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action or process. It describes a state of steady but not necessarily rapid progress. Ludwig's examples show that this phrase illustrates a state of activity, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are chugging along" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe steady, continuous progress. While generally appropriate for neutral contexts such as news reports and casual business communication, it should be used with caution in formal academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "are progressing steadily" in those settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is effective for conveying ongoing activity and reliability. Ludwig's examples show a trend of its usage in context to economy, business and projects in general.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are rolling along

Similar in tone, but more casual and implies easier progress.

are progressing steadily

Focuses on the consistent advancement, suitable for formal contexts.

are grinding away

Suggests slow but persistent progress, often through hard work.

are moving forward

A general term for advancement, less descriptive than "are chugging along".

are making headway

Emphasizes overcoming obstacles and making progress.

are on track

Indicates that progress aligns with planned milestones.

are advancing smoothly

Highlights the lack of problems in the progression.

are keeping pace

Focuses on maintaining a desired rate of progress.

are getting along

Emphasizes the cooperative nature of the progress.

are proceeding apace

A more formal alternative suggesting rapid progress.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "are chugging along"?

It means something is progressing steadily, often in a reliable but not necessarily rapid manner. It suggests consistent activity or movement forward.

What can I say instead of "are chugging along"?

You can use alternatives like "are progressing steadily", "are moving forward", or "are making headway" depending on the context.

Is "are chugging along" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "are chugging along" leans toward the informal side. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "are advancing" or "are proceeding".

How does "are chugging along" differ from "are running smoothly"?

"Are running smoothly" suggests effortless and problem-free operation. "Are chugging along", on the other hand, implies steady progress even if it's not perfectly seamless. The latter suggests ongoing effort, while the former implies ease.