is progressing slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'is progressing slowly' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase in a sentence to describe a situation that is taking more time than expected, or when something isn't happening as quickly as desired. For example: "Our project is progressing slowly, so we'll need to re-allocate resources if we want to stay on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

New building is progressing slowly.

The New Yorker

The convoy is progressing slowly with aerial backup.

The Guardian

Planning has begun, but the project is progressing slowly.

The New York Times

The Siam Photon Project promoted at the Siam Photon Laboratory is progressing slowly but steadily.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The company has tested just on rats and is progressing slowly, it says, because of a lack of money.

The New York Times - Health

I'm frustrated because I think technology is progressing slowly, but I'm optimistic because I think it could be going a lot better.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He pointed to various displays that asked what he called "Visual questions: "Is Weaving Architecture;" "Do Cups Have Personality?" The collage was progressing slowly, and more donors arrived.

The New Yorker

I'm progressing slowly," Barton said.

Independent

Their wedding plans are progressing slowly.

Independent

But efforts to develop such course requirements are progressing slowly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The UN body has been progressing slowly through its casework.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is progressing slowly", consider specifying the reason for the slow progress to provide more context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is progressing slowly" as a standalone statement. Always provide context or reasons to explain why the progress is slow, making your writing more informative and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is progressing slowly" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense, describing an ongoing action. Ludwig examples confirm its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is progressing slowly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys the idea of a gradual or delayed advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers relevant examples across various domains. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, it serves the communicative purpose of informing about the pace of development while potentially indicating concern or dissatisfaction. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context to explain the reasons behind the slow progress and avoid overuse without providing details. Alternatives include "is advancing at a snail's pace" and "is developing gradually", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is developing gradually

Focuses on the incremental nature of the development.

is moving at a slow rate

Highlights the speed, or lack thereof, at which something is happening.

is inching forward

Suggests very small increments of progress, often with difficulty.

is advancing at a snail's pace

Emphasizes extreme slowness and lack of momentum.

is crawling along

Implies a sluggish and almost painful lack of progress.

is faltering

Suggests an unsteady or hesitant advancement.

is stagnating

Indicates a near standstill, with little to no progress.

is not gaining traction

Indicates a failure to build momentum or support.

is facing delays

Focuses on the obstacles that are causing the slow progress.

is behind schedule

Highlights the divergence from the planned timeline.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is progressing slowly"?

It means that something is advancing or developing, but at a slower pace than expected or desired. This could be due to various reasons, such as lack of resources, technical difficulties, or external obstacles.

What can I say instead of "is progressing slowly"?

You can use alternatives like "is developing gradually", "is moving at a slow rate", or "is inching forward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is progressing slowly"?

Yes, the phrase "is progressing slowly" is grammatically correct. "Is progressing" is the present continuous tense of the verb "to progress", and "slowly" is an adverb modifying the verb, indicating the manner in which the action is performed.

What are some typical contexts where I might use the phrase "is progressing slowly"?

This phrase is often used in contexts related to project management, recovery from illness, technological development, or any situation where advancement is expected but not happening quickly. You might also hear it in news reports, scientific articles, or business updates.