engine of progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"engine of progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that drives change, development, and advancement. For example, "Educational opportunities are the engine of progress in our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

According to this view "man is a progressive being" and education is the chief engine of progress.

SEP

Accountability is an engine of progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

Somewhere along the line, the engine of progress has stalled.

The Guardian

Alien Kulture might have been radicals but they believed in politics as an engine of progress.

The Guardian - Music

Marx adapted Hegel's dialectic to the economic sphere, seeing it as an engine of progress.

The New Yorker

This newspaper believes firmly that technology is, by and large, an engine of progress.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

In them George Orwell and Aldous Huxley systematically subvert each of the Enlightenment's engines of progress.

The Economist

Malala Yousafzai The two great engines of progress for women's rights are birth control and the education of girls.

The Guardian

The many manifestations of his humanity would be the engines of progress: language, community, science, commerce, moral sensibility and government.

The Economist

In his campaign against society's relentless urge to modernize, he argued for self-sustaining, environmentally conscious communities and against the presumption that economic and technological developments were beneficent engines of progress.

The New York Times

And the answer depends on the last pair of engines of progress: moral sensibility in its widest sense, and the institutions that make up what today is known as "governance".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "engine of progress", ensure the context clearly identifies what specific element or factor is driving the advancement or development being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "engine of progress" in contexts where the driver of advancement is vague or undefined. Be specific about what is enabling the progress to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engine of progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes something as the primary driver or enabler of advancement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engine of progress" effectively conveys the idea of a driving force behind advancement and development. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the specific element driving the progress. Alternatives such as "driver of progress" or "catalyst for progress" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. By understanding its function, purpose, and common contexts, writers can effectively use "engine of progress" to highlight key factors in societal and technological advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driver of progress

Replaces "engine" with "driver", emphasizing the element that propels progress forward.

catalyst for progress

Highlights the element that initiates or accelerates progress.

driving force behind progress

Similar to "driver of progress", adding emphasis on the 'behind' to underline the causal impact.

key to advancement

Shifts focus from a mechanism to a solution, implying that the phrase enables progress.

foundation for development

Emphasizes the establishment of a base or infrastructure that enables progress.

impetus for growth

Replaces the more mechanical "engine" with "impetus", giving a more biological connotation to the idea of growth.

fuel for advancement

Emphasizes the concept of energy source that powers progress.

stimulus for development

Similar to catalyst, it underscores the idea of encouraging or spurring development.

vehicle for progress

This highlights a way by which progress is achieved

source of innovation

Focuses on the creation of new ideas and methods, which in turn drive progress.

FAQs

How can I use "engine of progress" in a sentence?

You can use "engine of progress" to describe anything that drives advancement or development. For example, "Technological innovation is a key "driver of progress" in the 21st century."

What phrases are similar to "engine of progress"?

Alternatives include "catalyst for progress", "driving force behind progress", or "key to advancement". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "engine for progress" or "engine of progress"?

"Engine of progress" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Engine for progress" is less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward to native English speakers.

What makes something an "engine of progress"?

An "engine of progress" is anything that actively and effectively drives forward advancement, improvement, or development in a particular field or society. This could be a new technology, a social movement, or a philosophical idea.