incremental progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incremental progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe gradual improvements or advancements made over time, often in a specific project or process. Example: "The team has made incremental progress on the project, addressing each issue step by step."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We want to build incremental progress.

Independent

They will produce some incremental progress.

The New York Times

It is slow, tough, incremental progress.

The Guardian

On its own, this is natural, incremental progress.

The Guardian

She wants incremental progress, while he calls for a revolution.

The New Yorker

But the Islanders have made incremental progress in other areas.

The New York Times - Sports

There is only incremental progress, Smith says, not apocalyptic advance.

The Guardian - Opinion

So there's been a lot of tinkering and incremental progress.

The New York Times

There has been incremental progress in other countries.

The Guardian

Latin America is into either incremental progress or none".

The New York Times

Incremental progress is still progress, as Hughes recognized.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing progress in a project or initiative, use "incremental progress" to acknowledge that change is happening steadily, not necessarily rapidly. This sets realistic expectations and highlights the value of consistent effort.

Common error

Don't dismiss "incremental progress" as unimportant. Even small steps forward contribute to the overall goal and should be recognized as valuable achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incremental progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "make incremental progress") or as a subject complement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a gradual advancement or improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incremental progress" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe gradual improvements or advancements made over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, sports, and business. When using this phrase, remember that it emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the progress and sets realistic expectations. While it's important to acknowledge and celebrate even small steps forward, be careful not to confuse incremental with insignificant. Consider using alternatives like "gradual improvement" or "steady development" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradual improvement

Focuses on the gradual nature of the improvement.

step-by-step advancement

Highlights the methodical and sequential aspect of progress.

steady development

Emphasizes the consistent and reliable nature of the development.

slow but sure progress

Indicates the pace is not fast, but the outcome is certain.

marginal gains

Focuses on the small size of the improvements.

piecemeal improvement

Suggests progress is made in small, individual parts.

bit-by-bit progress

Emphasizes the gradual accumulation of small advancements.

continuous refinement

Highlights the ongoing process of making small improvements.

evolutionary advancement

Connects progress to an ongoing and gradual evolutionary process.

moderate growth

Indicates a balanced and controlled rate of increase or progress.

FAQs

How to use "incremental progress" in a sentence?

You can use "incremental progress" to describe a situation where progress is being made gradually. For example, "Despite the challenges, the team is making "incremental progress" towards the project's completion".

What can I say instead of "incremental progress"?

You can use alternatives like "gradual improvement", "steady development", or "step-by-step advancement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "incremental progresses"?

No, the correct form is "incremental progress". "Progress" is generally used as an uncountable noun, so it does not have a plural form in most contexts.

What's the difference between "incremental progress" and "breakthrough"?

"Incremental progress" refers to small, steady improvements over time, while "breakthrough" signifies a significant and sudden advancement or discovery.