little progress

USAGE SUMMARY

'little progress' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You may use it when referring to a situation that has not seen much improvement. For example: "Although we have been working on the project for weeks, we have made little progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Little progress.

The Guardian

Texas officials reported little progress.

The New York Times

Until recently he had made little progress.

The Economist

The talks made little progress, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There has, however, been a little progress.

The New York Times

But little progress has been made.

The Economist

There has been little progress so far.

The New York Times

He has made a little progress.

The Economist

The meeting seemed to yield little progress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Since then, negotiations have made little progress.

The New York Times

Yet, there has been little progress.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little progress", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific area or task is experiencing the slow advancement. For example, specify the domain: "Little progress has been made in climate change negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "little progress" when the situation has actually deteriorated or regressed. "Little progress" suggests slow or minimal advancement, not a decline. Use phrases like "significant setbacks" or "substantial regression" to accurately describe negative developments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, reinforcing its role in indicating a lack of significant advancement. For example, in the sentence "There has been little progress so far", the phrase serves as the subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote minimal advancement or improvement. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples underscore its common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While it's a neutral expression suitable for diverse settings, it’s essential to use it accurately, avoiding overstatements of the lack of progress and ensuring clarity in specifying the area of slow advancement. The numerous examples demonstrate that "little progress" serves to provide a realistic or critical evaluation of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited headway

Similar to "little progress" but uses a different noun.

minimal advancement

Emphasizes the small degree of forward movement.

slow going

Indicates difficulty in making progress.

slight development

Focuses on the limited nature of the growth or evolution.

not much further

Expresses the limited distance covered or advancement made.

meager improvement

Highlights the inadequacy of the positive change.

minor breakthrough

Suggests a small but significant achievement.

a standstill

A stronger way to emphasize the total lack of progress.

glacial pace

Implies slow movement or advancement.

stagnation

Indicates a state of inactivity or no growth.

FAQs

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

You can use "little progress" to describe situations where minimal advancement has been made, such as: "Despite the efforts, there has been "little progress" in resolving the conflict."

What are some alternatives to "little progress"?

Alternatives to "little progress" include phrases like "minimal advancement", "slight development", or "limited headway", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "small progress" or "little progress"?

Both "small progress" and "little progress" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone says there's been "little progress"?

When someone says there's been "little progress", it generally indicates that not much advancement or improvement has occurred in a particular area or situation. It suggests that efforts to move forward have yielded minimal results.