inhibit progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inhibit progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or actions that hinder or slow down advancement in a particular area. Example: "The lack of funding can significantly inhibit progress on the research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"The economic and regulatory environment has the potential to delay or inhibit progress," he added.

The New York Times

It is not just the threats from vested interests that inhibit progress.

The Economist

There are other reasons that inhibit progress, which need to be confronted.

India's Financial Markets An Insider's Guide to How the Markets Work

The debate on global warming is burdened with unfortunate misconceptions that inhibit progress in moving forward (see "Planning for a Climate-Changed World").

MIT Technology Review

We felt that boundaries between subspecialties might inhibit progress, and focused on developing a unified approach to a number of congenital lesions.

Progress in Pediatric Cardiology

Each state will be led by a coalition of key public and private sector leaders committed to mobilizing and sustaining political and financial support for the agenda and addressing legislative or regulatory barriers that inhibit progress.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

4. Time constraints and technical difficulties in implementation inhibited progress.

Technology in Society

There were others who thought that the repressive and bureaucratic system inhibited progress and technological innovation.

The Guardian - Books

It led at times to great strain between us, which actually at times inhibited progress with the negotiations.

The Guardian

The report by the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said that forces opposed to peace continued to wield influence in the Balkans, inhibiting progress toward political stability.

The New York Times

All the evidence suggests that after patent protection is obtained, it tends to be used as a means for hurting competitors and inhibiting progress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal documents or reports, consider using "inhibit progress" to express a serious concern about obstacles affecting goals or objectives.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences passively when using "inhibit progress". Instead of saying "Progress is inhibited by...", opt for an active voice: "X inhibits progress". This strengthens the message and clarifies the cause of the hindrance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inhibit progress" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of hindering or impeding advancement. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as describing the effects of regulations or misconceptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inhibit progress" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe factors that hinder or slow down advancement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts. While it is generally suitable for neutral to formal registers, careful attention should be paid to using active voice to emphasize the cause of the hindrance. Alternative phrases such as "impede advancement" or "hinder development" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Using this phrase effectively requires awareness of both its grammatical function and its communicative purpose across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impede advancement

Focuses more on slowing down the rate of advancement.

hinder development

Emphasizes obstruction in the process of development.

obstruct advancement

Highlights the act of creating an obstacle to prevent advancement.

slow down progress

Directly indicates a reduction in the speed of progress.

stall development

Suggests a complete stop or stagnation in the development process.

hamper advancement

Implies making advancement more difficult.

impair progress

Highlights the damage or weakening of progress.

constrain development

Emphasizes the limitation or restriction of development.

retard advancement

Indicates a delay in advancement.

stifle progress

Suggests suppression or suffocation of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "inhibit progress" to describe factors that slow down or prevent advancement. For example, "Bureaucratic processes often "inhibit progress" in implementing new policies".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "inhibit progress"?

Some alternatives include "impede advancement", "hinder development", or "obstruct advancement". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "inhibit progress" or "prevent progress"?

"Inhibit progress" suggests slowing down or hindering advancement, while "prevent progress" implies stopping it entirely. The better choice depends on whether the progress is merely slowed or completely stopped.

What's the difference between "inhibit progress" and "impede progress"?

While both phrases mean to slow down or obstruct advancement, "inhibit progress" often refers to restraining or holding back, whereas "impede progress" suggests creating difficulties or obstacles.