fail to make progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to make progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations where someone or something is not advancing or improving in a particular area or task. Example: "Despite their efforts, the team continues to fail to make progress on the project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Schools that fail to make progress are subject to sanctions.

The New York Times

The only punitive measure for organisations that fail to make progress is a recommendation they reconsider being a signatory.

The Guardian

"However, if management and the board fail to make progress, Trian may decide to become significantly more active in evaluating its alternatives as a large shareholder".

The New York Times

"As we fail to make progress on entitlement reform with each passing year, Professor Buchanan's essentially moral critique of deficit spending looks more prophetic".

The New York Times

Independent TV producers who fail to make progress on diversity could struggle to get their programmes commissioned by the BBC under new guidelines released by the corporation.

The Guardian

Because anxiety hurts academic performance, too much stress can reduce scores -- not a good result when schools that fail to make progress face federal sanctions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Schools that failed to make progress would face financial sanctions.

The Economist

Mother's quest Intermediaries tried and failed to make progress.

The Guardian

Those close to ministers said he had failed to make progress on reform.

The Guardian

Intermittent peace talks with the Palestinians failed to make progress, and Israel's international standing saw further erosion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And governments around the world have failed to make progress towards a new global climate-change treaty.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to make progress", consider the context to determine if a more specific verb, such as "stagnate" or "regress", might provide a clearer picture of the situation.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on the phrase "fail to make progress" without specifying why progress is lacking. Add context to explain the reasons behind the failure, such as "lack of resources" or "ineffective strategies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to make progress" functions as a verb phrase. It expresses a state of not advancing or improving towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to make progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the absence of advancement or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. While "fail to make progress" is versatile, consider using synonyms like "stagnate" or "not advance" for more specific nuances. Remember to provide context around why progress is lacking for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not advance

This alternative uses a more straightforward and literal expression of the lack of forward movement.

stagnate

This single-word verb implies a complete lack of movement or development.

stall

This implies a sudden cessation of progress, often due to a technical or logistical issue.

not achieve results

This focuses on the lack of tangible outcomes from efforts made.

be at a standstill

This phrase suggests a halt in progress, often due to obstacles or lack of motivation.

be unproductive

This emphasizes the inefficiency or lack of output in a given task or endeavor.

not gain traction

This suggests a failure to gain momentum or support for an idea or project.

fall behind

This indicates a failure to keep pace with an expected rate of advancement.

lose ground

This suggests a reversal of progress, sliding backward from a previous position.

miss the mark

This focuses on the failure to reach a specific goal or target despite efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to make progress" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to make progress" to describe a lack of advancement or improvement in a particular task or area. For instance, "Despite their efforts, the team continues to fail to make progress on the project deadlines".

What are some alternatives to "fail to make progress"?

Alternatives include "stagnate", "not advance", or "be at a standstill", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "failed to make progress" or "did not make progress"?

"Failed to make progress" and "did not make progress" are generally interchangeable, but "failed to make progress" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of expectation or requirement for progress.

What does it mean when someone "fails to make progress" in therapy?

When someone "fails to make progress" in therapy, it suggests that the individual isn't experiencing expected improvements in their mental or emotional well-being, potentially requiring a reassessment of therapeutic approaches.