is progressing smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is progressing smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process or project that is moving forward without any issues or complications. Example: "The construction of the new building is progressing smoothly, and we expect to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The integration of Avincis is progressing smoothly and the business is performing as expected.

The Guardian - Business

It added, "All preparatory work for the congress is progressing smoothly".

The New York Times

Back at the Golden Nugget, though, the tournament is progressing smoothly, by no means a foregone conclusion.

The New York Times - Travel

"The project is progressing smoothly," said Guo Shuyan, deputy director of the State Council Three Gorges committee.

The New York Times

Based on the numbers that the company does release, however, it appears that the integration of Seagram is progressing smoothly and that the company is keeping a decent eye on costs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

His project was progressing smoothly when Leiweke proposed to Anschutz, in effect, that they become Roski's competition.

The New Yorker

Work was progressing smoothly.On December 30th, Mr Zhu visited the dam site for the first time, and sang a very different song.

The Economist

Matters had been progressing smoothly enough early in the piece, although the fall of Alastair Cook for his third fifty of the series was cause for concern.

Independent

The manual recount was progressing smoothly and swiftly Saturday in most parts of the state, with new votes being recorded for both Vice President Al Gore and Gov. George W. Bush.

The New York Times

The plan seemed to be progressing smoothly, and the deal was ready to go down when Ead learned that the property had been sold to someone else.

The New Yorker

Speaking in St Petersburg, where the qualifying draw for the 2018 World Cup is taking place, the 54-year-old said his successor should be happy because plans for the tournament in Russia are progressing smoothly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is progressing smoothly", ensure that you can provide specific evidence or examples to support the claim. This adds credibility and prevents the statement from sounding like mere optimism.

Common error

Avoid using "is progressing smoothly" as a generic filler statement. Always ensure it reflects the actual situation. If there are minor setbacks, it's better to acknowledge them rather than overstate the smoothness of the progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is progressing smoothly" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the state of an ongoing action or process. It indicates that the action is advancing without significant problems or interruptions. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is generally seen as grammatically correct and acceptable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is progressing smoothly" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe the untroubled advancement of a process or project. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It finds frequent use in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts, to convey a sense of order and efficiency. Alternatives such as "is proceeding smoothly" or "is moving smoothly" offer similar meanings. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure it's supported by factual evidence to maintain credibility and avoid overuse as a generic filler. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is proceeding smoothly

Replaces 'progressing' with 'proceeding', which has a similar meaning, focusing on the continuation of a process.

is moving smoothly

Substitutes 'progressing' with 'moving', emphasizing the uninterrupted motion or advancement.

is advancing smoothly

Uses 'advancing' instead of 'progressing', highlighting forward movement without difficulties.

is running smoothly

Employs 'running' to suggest that the process is operating without problems, similar to a well-oiled machine.

is developing smoothly

Replaces 'progressing' with 'developing', suggesting a gradual and untroubled evolution or growth.

is unfolding smoothly

Uses 'unfolding' to imply that events are happening in sequence without complications.

is evolving smoothly

Substitutes 'progressing' with 'evolving', indicating a gradual and seamless transformation.

is sailing smoothly

Uses 'sailing' metaphorically to convey that the process is proceeding without obstacles, like a ship on calm waters.

is flowing smoothly

Replaces 'progressing' with 'flowing', emphasizing the continuous and easy movement of the process.

is rolling smoothly

Employs 'rolling' to suggest that the process is moving forward steadily and without interruption.

FAQs

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

When something "is progressing smoothly", it means that the process or project is advancing without any major issues, delays, or complications. It implies a steady and efficient forward movement.

What are some alternatives to saying "is progressing smoothly"?

You can use alternatives such as "is proceeding smoothly", "is moving smoothly", or "is advancing smoothly" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

How can I use "is progressing smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "is progressing smoothly" to describe the status of a project, a negotiation, or any other ongoing process. For example, "The integration of the two companies is progressing smoothly".

Is it always accurate to say something "is progressing smoothly"?

While "is progressing smoothly" suggests an absence of significant issues, it's important to ensure that the statement is supported by evidence. Overusing this phrase without factual backing can undermine credibility. Be prepared to provide examples or data to support the claim.