constrain progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constrain progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or conditions that limit or restrict advancement or development in a particular area. Example: "The outdated policies in place tend to constrain progress in the field of renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Perforce, these factors may constrain progress in US social and behavioral science and may fail to encourage a full participation in or realization of an international science of behavior and society as the new century unfolds.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

National Express was slammed into reverse, down 26.1p to 180.4p after the bus and rail group said it was on track to meet expectations for 2012 but said next year would be more challenging, with rising fuel prices and low economic growth likely to "constrain progress".

The Guardian - Business

Students from families of third-generation unemployment often display signs of negative socialization and a poor outlook that can constrain progress (McKendrick et al. [2007]; Sodha and Guglielmi [2009]).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

In his classic book Against Method Paul Feyerabend objected to a single prescriptive scientific method on the grounds that this would limit scientists' activities and thereby constrain progress (Feyerabend1975).

Forest Ecosystems

By building on existing practices and by advocating the use of established methodologies, a "best" practice might constrain progress and development of new approaches, especially as a considerable effort will go into each analysis only to adhere to the guidance.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Scarcity of skilled providers, poor infrastructure and substandard quality of care are some of the critical components of such health systems that constrain progress in maternal and newborn survival [ 17].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What constrained progress was the lack of data and access to large computational facilities.

The Guardian

Reliable, affordable, and clean energy is essential for sustainable development; that so many live without it constrains progress.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The mitochondrial genome currently remains locked from genome editing techniques that enable specific mutations to be inserted into it, or deleted from it, which constrains progress on the development of the TFT.

Evolutionary Applications

Trial registration ISRCTN 53515024 Health system weaknesses in Africa are considerable, constraining progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, including reducing the burden of both communicable and non-communicable disease [ 1].

BMC Health Services Research

His move ends a long, bleak period in which the moral objections of religious conservatives were allowed to constrain the progress of a medically important science.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constrain progress", clearly identify the specific factors that are causing the restriction. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "constrain progress" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "slow down" or "hold back" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constrain progress" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "constrain" is the verb indicating the action of limiting or restricting, and "progress" is the noun representing the advancement or development being affected. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly used to describe factors impacting advancement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "constrain progress" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that means to limit or impede advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse fields. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in science, news, and business contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "impede advancement" or "hinder development". When using "constrain progress", ensure clarity by specifying the factors causing the restriction and avoiding its use in overly informal settings. Its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and BMC Health Services Research signifies its acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impede advancement

Replaces "constrain" with "impede" and "progress" with "advancement", slightly altering the tone.

hinder development

Substitutes "constrain" with "hinder" and "progress" with "development", conveying a similar meaning with different vocabulary.

limit advancement

Replaces "constrain" with "limit", focusing on restriction rather than prevention.

restrict development

Uses "restrict" in place of "constrain", suggesting a narrower scope of limitation.

inhibit growth

Employs "inhibit" instead of "constrain" and "growth" in place of "progress", indicating a slowing or stopping of expansion.

obstruct forward motion

Replaces "constrain" with "obstruct" and uses a more descriptive alternative to "progress", emphasizing the blockage of movement.

impair forward momentum

Similar to "obstruct forward motion" but focuses on reducing the force or speed of advancement.

retard future development

Uses "retard" suggesting a slowing down of progress, and specifies that it's future development.

stifle future advancement

Employs "stifle" suggesting suppression of advancement, with a focus on the future.

inhibit ongoing development

Focuses on development currently in progress, with the effect of inhibiting the process.

FAQs

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

You can use "constrain progress" to describe factors that limit or restrict advancement. For example, "Lack of funding can constrain progress in scientific research".

What are some alternatives to "constrain progress"?

Alternatives include "impede advancement", "hinder development", or "limit advancement".

Is it better to use "constrain progress" or "hinder progress"?

"Constrain progress" and "hinder progress" are largely interchangeable. "Constrain" implies a tighter restriction, while "hinder" suggests a slowing down or obstruction.

What does "constrain progress" mean?

"Constrain progress" means to limit, restrict, or impede advancement or development in a particular area. It implies that something is preventing or slowing down forward movement.