evolutionary progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolutionary progress" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the gradual development and improvement of a species or group over time due to natural selection and genetic variations. Example: The study of fossils provides evidence of evolutionary progress, as we can trace the development of species over millions of years.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

So much for the idea that caring for your young is part of evolutionary progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Enlightenment had inordinate faith in itself and the evolutionary progress of history.

The New York Times - Arts

The Internet provides a case study of both technology's evolutionary progress and its exponential growth.

The New York Times

As a sociologist, Le Play opposed the then-fashionable notion of society's continuous evolutionary progress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The game board begins with the lowly jackal and ends with the regal lion: an evolutionary progress of sorts.

The New York Times - Arts

His book emerges as a critique of the contemporary model of evolutionary progress, seeing our drive to improve upon nature as dangerous "ecological arrogance".

The New York Times - Books

For the fallacy of evolutionary progress has deep psychological roots, and those roots lie in Dr Miller's peacock-tail version of events.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

With publication in 1859 of The Origin of Species and the development of evolutionary theory, progress in culture began to be viewed as analogous to evolution in nature.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

We simulate the presented model to examine the properties of the surviving DGENs as evolutionary time progresses.

F1000Research

A first observation is that as evolutionary time progresses, DGENs acquire an "hourglass-like" shape in Models-2,3,4.

F1000Research

In Model-1 and Model-2, genes can be only removed (due to RW events, potentially followed by RF cascades) and so the average DGEN size decreases as evolutionary time progresses, which is unrealistic.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evolutionary progress" when referring to the long-term development and adaptation of species or systems over generations. It implies a directionality and improvement in traits or functions.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "evolutionary progress" always equates to increased complexity or 'superiority'. Evolution is about adaptation to specific environments, not necessarily a linear progression towards perfection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolutionary progress" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It commonly acts as a subject or object in sentences, referring to the concept of development and advancement in biological or other systems. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evolutionary progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that describes the gradual development and improvement of species or systems over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used across various domains. It is especially common in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, emphasizing its role in formal and analytical discussions.

While "evolutionary progress" suggests advancement, it's important to remember that evolution isn't always linear or about increasing complexity. Alternatives like "developmental advancement" and "progressive evolution" can offer similar meanings depending on the context. When using "evolutionary progress", consider whether you intend to convey a sense of directionality or improvement, and avoid the common mistake of equating it solely with increased complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolutionary advancement

A direct synonym, simply reordering the words.

progressive evolution

Reverses the order of the words, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the evolution.

advancement in evolution

Highlights the element of advancement within the process of evolution.

gradual evolution

Emphasizes the gradual nature of evolutionary change.

developmental advancement

Focuses on advancement within a developmental process rather than specifically evolutionary.

adaptive evolution

Highlights the adaptive aspect of the evolutionary process.

species development

Focuses on the development of a species, implying progress.

biological improvement

Specifies the type of progress as biological and indicates improvement.

phylogenetic advancement

Uses a more technical term ('phylogenetic') related to evolutionary relationships.

natural progression

Indicates a natural and forward-moving development.

FAQs

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

You can use "evolutionary progress" to describe the development of species over time, such as: "The fossil record provides evidence of "evolutionary progress" in vertebrates."

What are some alternatives to "evolutionary progress"?

Alternatives include "developmental advancement", "progressive evolution", or "evolutionary advancement", depending on the specific context.

Does "evolutionary progress" always mean increased complexity?

No, "evolutionary progress" refers to adaptation to environmental pressures, which may sometimes result in simplification or loss of traits rather than increased complexity. Adaptation can lead to "biological improvement" without necessarily increasing complexity.

What is the difference between "evolutionary progress" and "evolution"?

"Evolution" is a general term for the change in heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. "Evolutionary progress" implies a directional component, suggesting improvement or advancement, which is not always the case in evolution.