kept lumbering forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept lumbering forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is moving slowly and heavily, often with a sense of persistence despite obstacles. Example: "Despite the harsh weather conditions, the team kept lumbering forward, determined to reach their destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

To Bitcoin, which has been pronounced dead more times than Michael Myers, and yet somehow still keeps lumbering along, slowly, crudely, and seemingly unstoppably.

TechCrunch

But he kept lumbering forward, making the court and the openings appear small.

The New York Times - Sports

Horse vans lumbered forward one at a time and parked, with their side doors open and linked by bridges.

The New York Times

Then, as they lumbered forward once more, another young but rather more expensive Manchester United footballer, Anthony Martial, broke away.

Independent

Yet they kept pushing forward.

The Economist

Yet they kept moving forward.

The New Yorker

"I just kept pushing forward".

The New York Times

"But I kept pushing forward".

The New York Times - Sports

Together, they kept pushing forward.

The New York Times

Yet everything kept surging forward.

The New York Times

I kept going forward.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept lumbering forward" to create a vivid image of slow, heavy, and often clumsy movement, especially when describing something large or unwieldy overcoming obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "lumbering" to describe actions that are supposed to be quick or graceful. "Lumbering" implies a lack of agility and speed, making it unsuitable for describing, say, a dancer's movements or a race car's acceleration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept lumbering forward" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a continuous action. Ludwig indicates its use to describe sustained, albeit slow and heavy, movement. It emphasizes persistence despite possible difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sports

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept lumbering forward" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe slow, heavy, and persistent movement. Ludwig's analysis of various sources shows it’s most commonly found in news and sports reporting to create a vivid and slightly humorous image of something moving with effort. While appropriate for descriptive writing, it may not be suitable for highly formal or technical contexts. Instead, consider alternatives like "continued trudging ahead" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued trudging ahead

Replaces "lumbering" with "trudging" suggesting a difficult and tiring journey. "Ahead" specifies direction, while the original does not.

persisted in moving heavily

Replaces "lumbering" with a more explicit description of the movement. Focuses on the persistence and weight of the motion.

kept plodding onward

"Plodding" implies a slow and laborious pace; "onward" adds a sense of continued direction.

continued to advance slowly

Uses simpler terms to convey the same idea of slow and steady progress.

steadily moved forward

Emphasizes the steadiness of the movement, suggesting a consistent pace.

maintained a heavy advance

Focuses on the weight and force behind the forward movement.

slowly but surely progressed

Highlights the gradual but certain nature of the advancement.

kept forging ahead with difficulty

Implies a struggle to move forward, adding a sense of challenge.

relentlessly pushed forward

Focuses on the unstoppable nature of the forward motion.

laboriously moved ahead

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in the movement.

FAQs

How can I use "kept lumbering forward" in a sentence?

You can use "kept lumbering forward" to describe something moving slowly and heavily despite challenges. For example, "The old truck "kept lumbering forward" despite the steep incline".

What does "kept lumbering forward" imply about the subject's movement?

It suggests the movement is slow, heavy, and perhaps clumsy, but also persistent. There's an implication that the subject is overcoming some obstacle or difficulty as it "kept lumbering forward".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "kept lumbering forward"?

Alternatives include "continued trudging ahead", "persisted in moving heavily", or "kept plodding onward". These phrases maintain the sense of slow, heavy movement.

Is "kept lumbering forward" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kept lumbering forward" is more suited for descriptive or narrative writing. In formal contexts, consider more precise or professional-sounding alternatives to describe movement.