can move ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can move ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate progress or the ability to proceed with a plan or action. Example: "Once we finalize the budget, we can move ahead with the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I think now we can move ahead," she said.

The New York Times

Predicting how quickly they can move ahead is itself a bit of a challenge.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Let us hope that after November we can move ahead with this essential project.

The New York Times

"There should be some resolution so we can move ahead as a city.

The New York Times

In the meantime, the banks can move ahead with their shareholder payouts.

The New York Times

Conversely, students with an aptitude for the topic can move ahead rapidly, avoiding boredom and disengagement.

The New York Times - Science

Learning about a device is critical before we can move ahead with designing and building a mobile experience.

Mobile User Experience Patterns to Make Sense of it All

"[We must] overcome past negligences so we can move ahead on a path of development".

The Guardian

If necessary, the bank can move ahead with a sale of state-backed bonds.

The Guardian - Business

"And they can move ahead with the most significant part of this case".

The New York Times

We can't imagine how such an investigation can move ahead without Mr. Cheney's testimony.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can move ahead", consider adding a qualifier to provide more specific context. For example, "can move ahead with funding", or "can move ahead after approval" to add more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "can move ahead" in passive constructions where it's unclear who is doing the moving. For instance, instead of saying "The project can be moved ahead", specify who will move it ahead: "The team can move the project ahead."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can move ahead" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the ability or permission to proceed or progress. As shown by Ludwig, it typically appears in contexts where a condition has been met or an obstacle has been overcome, allowing for advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can move ahead" is a versatile and widely used expression that indicates the ability or permission to proceed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news articles, academic papers, and other professional contexts. The phrase serves to communicate that progress is now possible, often after certain conditions have been satisfied. While alternatives like "can proceed" or "can advance" exist, "can move ahead" provides a straightforward and effective way to express forward progression. When writing, pay attention to potential passive constructions where specifying who will make such a move can add clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can proceed

Focuses on the ability to continue with a plan or action, emphasizing the act of proceeding.

can advance

Highlights the idea of making progress, often implying a step forward in development or status.

can progress

Similar to "can advance" but emphasizes steady improvement and forward movement.

can go forward

Indicates the ability to proceed with a plan or action, with a slightly more informal tone.

can carry on

Focuses on the continuation of an activity or process, particularly after an interruption or difficulty.

can forge ahead

Implies a determined effort to make progress, often in the face of challenges or opposition.

can push forward

Similar to "can forge ahead" but emphasizes the effort and energy required to overcome obstacles.

can make headway

Highlights the ability to make progress, often in a challenging or complex situation.

can take the next step

Emphasizes the act of advancing to the subsequent stage in a process or plan.

can continue

Focuses on the ability to keep going without interruption, highlighting sustained progress.

FAQs

What does "can move ahead" mean?

The phrase "can move ahead" means to be able to proceed, advance, or progress with a plan, project, or activity. It implies having the necessary resources, permissions, or conditions to continue forward.

What can I say instead of "can move ahead"?

You can use alternatives like "can proceed", "can advance", or "can progress" depending on the context.

How do I use "can move ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "can move ahead" to indicate that something is ready to progress. For example, "Now that we have the funding, we can move ahead with the project" or "The team can move ahead after the manager approves the plan".

What's the difference between "can move ahead" and "will move ahead"?

"Can move ahead" indicates the ability or permission to proceed, while "will move ahead" indicates a definite intention or plan to proceed. The first suggests possibility, while the second suggests certainty.