halting progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"halting progress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate when progress has stopped or been slowed due to an obstacle, issue, or conflict. For example, "The political unrest in the country has been halting progress on economic reforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is the power of his insistence that even Obama has made only halting progress toward a progressive ideal, and that to go further requires a more fundamental challenge to the system, and that will take bravery and guts.

The New Yorker

The euro zone continued to make halting progress toward strengthening its firewall against the crisis.

The New York Times

Under the stewardship of the UN since 2004, the country had made halting progress.

The Economist

Now, Kifl is one measure of America's halting progress since Saddam Hussein's overthrow.

The New York Times

The meeting is a sign that the I.R.S. is making halting progress in resolving its concerns.

The New York Times

Two years on, Gadi remains driven – if phlegmatic about her project's halting progress.

The Guardian

Many of them remain half built, in some stage of halting progress or abandonment.

The New Yorker

However, Mucavele says a number of people are illegally occupying the Matlemele site, halting progress.

The Guardian

The push has shown only halting progress ahead of a Feb. 23 NATO force-generation conference in Belgium.

The New York Times

Yet by 2010 Latinos will make up the majority of the city's workforce.Still, halting progress is being made.

The Economist

I feel like I'm chronicling my midlife crisis and my halting progress toward adulthood at the same time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "halting progress", consider specifying the reason for the slow or intermittent nature of the progress to provide context and clarity. For example, "Halting progress due to funding cuts".

Common error

Avoid using "halting progress" when there is no progress at all; instead, use terms like "stalled", "stagnant", or "no progress". "Halting progress" implies some advancement, albeit slow or inconsistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "halting progress" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "halting" modifies the noun "progress". It describes the nature of progress, indicating that it is slow, intermittent, or marked by pauses. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.1%

Academia

11.9%

Science

10.2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halting progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that aptly describes advancement characterized by slowness, intermittence, or setbacks. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and effective for conveying a specific type of progress. Predominantly found in news and academic sources, this phrase is appropriate for diverse contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When employing "halting progress", ensure to consider the subtle implication of existing but limited improvement and to provide context regarding the causes behind the stagnation. If you need alternatives, you can use "sluggish advancement", "intermittent improvement", or "slow development".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sluggish advancement

Replaces "halting" with "sluggish", emphasizing the slowness of the progress.

intermittent improvement

Substitutes "halting progress" with a focus on the intermittent nature of the improvement.

fitful strides

Uses "fitful strides" to convey an image of progress that is unsteady and uneven.

piecemeal steps forward

Highlights the fragmented and incremental nature of the progress.

slow development

Replaces both words for a more basic description of the process.

gradual but unsteady climb

Focuses on the gradual and unstable character of the advance.

tortuous advance

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of the progress.

laborious evolution

Emphasizes the effort and time involved in the progress.

staggering steps

Implies that the steps are hesitant and unsteady.

limited gains

Focuses on the small amount of progress achieved.

FAQs

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

You can use "halting progress" to describe situations where advancement is slow and uneven. For example: "Despite the initial enthusiasm, the project experienced "halting progress" due to unforeseen challenges."

What are some synonyms for "halting progress"?

Alternatives to "halting progress" include "slow development", "sluggish advancement", or "intermittent improvement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "halting progress" a formal or informal expression?

"Halting progress" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its use depends more on the subject matter than the setting.

What's the difference between "halting progress" and "no progress"?

"Halting progress" implies that there is some advancement, even if it's slow or inconsistent. "No progress", on the other hand, indicates a complete lack of advancement or movement forward.