cumulative progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"cumulative progress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a type of progress that accumulates over time, instead of a single, isolated event or moment. For example, "The company has made great cumulative progress this year, growing more than 60% in the past twelve months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We are interested in the cumulative progress time series that reports the overall progression of the puzzle.

EPJ Data Science

Previously, the standard account saw steady, cumulative "progress".

The Guardian - Books

It made me uneasy to be troubled by the "fake" purse, despite all our cumulative progress.

The New Yorker

Thomas Kuhn, in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, upends the old story of cumulative progress in scientific discovery.

The Guardian

Despite these headwind the Fed said it saw "cumulative progress" in the US economy - the same phrase it used in December when Bernanke announced the first QE cut and signalled that officials were likely to announce further cuts at subsequent Fed meetings, provided the economy improved in line with expectations.

The Guardian - Business

Completion is defined as the sum of the cumulative progress and exploration.

EPJ Data Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

To measure aspects of cumulative inventive progress, we develop a "shared specialization measure" of patent families.

Research Policy

The consequence, according to Kuhn, is that attempts to defend continuous, cumulative scientific progress by means of theory reduction or even a correspondence relationship (e.g., a limiting relationship) between a theory and its predecessor must fail.

SEP

For example, the historian of science George Sarton argued that "the acquisition and systematization of positive knowledge are the only human activities which are truly cumulative and progressive," and "progress has no definite and unquestionable meaning in other fields than the field of science" (Sarton 1936).

SEP

The phenomenon of Kuhn-loss does, in Kuhn's view, rule out the traditional cumulative picture of progress.

SEP

The curve of change -- which I boil down to 6 "d's" -- is exponential because culture makes progress cumulative.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing long-term achievements, use "cumulative progress" to emphasize the aggregation of small steps over time. For instance, "The project demonstrated significant cumulative progress toward its goals after several years of consistent effort."

Common error

Avoid mistaking temporary spikes or isolated successes for "cumulative progress". Ensure the gains are sustained and represent a consistent trend over time, not just fleeting improvements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumulative progress" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "cumulative" modifies the noun "progress". It describes a type of advancement that is built up over time through successive additions or increments. As Ludwig AI states, it accurately describes progress that gathers over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumulative progress" is a valid and useful phrase to describe progress that builds up gradually over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and used across multiple contexts. While it can be replaced by alternatives like "gradual development" or "incremental advancement", the best choice depends on the intended nuance. Remember to ensure that apparent progress is sustained and consistent, not just a temporary spike. With these insights, you can effectively incorporate "cumulative progress" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressive accumulation

Stresses the gathering or building up of something over a period of advancement.

incremental advancement

Focuses on the small, individual steps that contribute to the overall positive change.

stepwise progression

Emphasizes the gradual and sequential nature of advancement, one step at a time.

gradual development

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the advancement, highlighting the incremental changes over time.

steady growth

Highlights the continuous and consistent nature of the positive changes.

aggregate gains

Focuses on the total gains achieved through continuous accumulation.

combined improvement

Suggests that multiple improvements contribute to a larger, overall positive change.

continuous evolution

Highlights the ongoing and unfolding nature of the positive transformation.

overall advancement

Emphasizes the positive change that occurs over time through accumulating elements.

long-term growth

Highlights the importance of growth over a longer period.

FAQs

How can "cumulative progress" be used in a sentence?

You can use "cumulative progress" to describe situations where small gains add up to a significant overall advancement over time. For example, "The team's cumulative progress on the project was evident in their latest presentation."

What's a good alternative to the phrase "cumulative progress"?

Alternatives to "cumulative progress" include "gradual development", "incremental advancement", or "steady growth". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "cumulative progress" or "total progress"?

"Cumulative progress" emphasizes the accumulation of smaller gains over time, while "total progress" simply refers to the overall advancement made, regardless of how it was achieved. If you want to highlight the gradual nature of the advancement, "cumulative progress" is more appropriate.

What kind of projects benefit from tracking "cumulative progress"?

Long-term projects with many steps and potentially small incremental gains benefit from tracking "cumulative progress". It helps to see how those seemingly minor steps add up to a significant improvement over time.