how are things progressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'How are things progressing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to inquire about the progress or development of a particular situation, project, or event. For example: "I haven't heard from Sarah in a while, how are things progressing on the new project she's working on?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bridget, aka Helen Fielding, has been filling the Daily Telegraph (for which she writes a column) with extracts from the new book, answering tough questions from the paper's readers ("What are you doing for the millennium?", "How are things progressing on the movie?") and making guest appearances everywhere else.

The Guardian - Books

How are things progressing with moves for Sporting Gijon's Serbian striker Stefan Scepovic and finalising a loan move for Ghana winger Wasako Mubarak? "I have so many good players and it's important to use the squad.

BBC

How are things progressing with their partnership in terms of what you've been filming recently?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

How are things going?

The New York Times

How are things now?

BMC Health Services Research

How are they progressing?

HuffPost

"We've been updating people with pictures of things of how things are progressing and how they're being built -- from point 'A' where the Snow Queen mask was just a clay mold to where it's at now, completely sculpted and decorated and just a phenomenal piece".

Huffington Post

How tight are things?

Forbes

Fenlon told BBC Scotland he would have "had a chuckle to himself" if someone had suggested his team would be second top in September, but he is pleased at how things are progressing after a torrid first season last term.

BBC

"Every two weeks we get together to present what we are working on and how things are progressing to get feedback.

The New York Times

I am really happy with how things are progressing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how are things progressing", be specific about the context. Instead of asking generally, clarify, "How are things progressing with the website redesign?" for clearer communication.

Common error

While "how are things progressing" is acceptable, overuse in formal reports or presentations can sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "what is the current status" or "could you provide an update on the progress"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how are things progressing" functions as an interrogative phrase, used to solicit information about the advancement or development of a particular situation or project. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how are things progressing" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to inquire about the status or advancement of a project or situation. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Related phrases like "what's the status" or "how's it coming along" can offer variations in formality and emphasis. Remember to tailor your language to suit the specific situation for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how's it coming along

Replaces "things progressing" with a more casual idiom for advancement.

what's the status

Focuses on the current state, suitable for projects or tasks.

where are we with this

Emphasizes the current stage of a shared endeavor.

how far along are you

Directly asks about the extent of completion or advancement.

what's been achieved so far

Shifts focus to accomplishments made up to the present moment.

what's the latest update

Inquires about recent developments or news.

how are the developments

Emphasizes advancement by using "developments".

where do matters stand

Uses a formal tone to ask about the state of affairs.

how is the situation unfolding

Asks about how the situation is developing as time passes.

what's the current stage

Focuses specifically on the phase or level of progress.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to ask "how are things progressing"?

In professional settings, consider using phrases like "What is the current status?", "Could you provide an update on the progress?", or "What is the state of affairs?" for a more formal tone.

Is "how are things progressing" suitable for all situations?

While generally acceptable, "how are things progressing" may sound too informal for highly formal or critical situations. Choose vocabulary appropriate to the context.

What can I say instead of "how are things progressing" when asking about a project?

To inquire about a project's advancement, use phrases such as "what's the status", "where are we with this", or "what's been achieved so far".

How does "how are things progressing" differ from "how are things going"?

"How are things going" is a general inquiry about someone's well-being or a situation in general, while "how are things progressing" specifically asks about the advancement or development of something.