made encouraging progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made encouraging progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has improved or advanced in a positive way. Example: "The team has made encouraging progress in their research, leading to promising results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

They've made encouraging progress.

The Guardian

Over the last decade, West Africa has made encouraging progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

During recent years, cancer vaccines have made encouraging progress toward becoming a clinically relevant form of biologic therapy.

Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations

"We made encouraging progress," Stuart T. Gulliver, the chief executive, said on a conference call with journalists.

The New York Times

We made encouraging progress towards this goal, having shown that infusing ("charging") highly-insulating noble gases into neoprene can reduce its thermal conductivity by as much as 40%.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In Anbar province we have made encouraging progress in winning over local Sunni tribal leaders in the fight against al-Qaeda and other terrorists.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We continue to make encouraging progress.

MIT Technology Review

He continues to make encouraging progress in his recovery.

The Guardian - Sport

However, we are making encouraging progress on the group's transformation".

The Guardian - Business

As Gabby continues to make encouraging progress, we must keep her and the others in our thoughts as we attend to the work now before us.

The New York Times

Forward Dirk Kuyt is making encouraging progress in his recovery from an ankle problem and could be fit to face Chelsea a week on Sunday.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made encouraging progress", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific area or task has seen improvement. Providing specific examples or details strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "made encouraging progress" when the improvement is minimal or insignificant. Ensure the progress is genuinely noteworthy to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made encouraging progress" functions as a descriptor of positive advancement or improvement. It typically follows a subject and verb structure, indicating that the subject has moved forward in a beneficial way. The use of "encouraging" adds a note of optimism about continued positive development, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made encouraging progress" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe positive developments. As Ludwig AI highlights, this expression is frequently used in news, scientific, and business contexts to convey optimism about ongoing advancements. While various alternatives exist, such as "achieved promising advancements" or "improved notably", it's essential to ensure that the context warrants the positive connotation. Overstating progress can undermine credibility, so accuracy is key. Overall, "made encouraging progress" is a useful and versatile phrase when used thoughtfully and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved notably

Highlights the noticeable improvement that has occurred.

showed positive development

Highlights the presence of positive growth or evolution.

advanced significantly

Focuses on the substantial nature of the progress.

moved forward promisingly

Highlights the hopeful outlook associated with the forward movement.

achieved promising advancements

Emphasizes the achievement of advancements that hold promise.

progressed satisfactorily

Emphasizes that the progress meets expectations or requirements.

demonstrated upward trend

Indicates a clear and positive direction of movement.

evolved positively

Focuses on the positive nature of the evolution or change.

gained ground commendably

Suggests successful advancement, worthy of praise.

realized favorable growth

Emphasizes the actualization of positive growth or expansion.

FAQs

How can I use "made encouraging progress" in a sentence?

You can use "made encouraging progress" to describe advancements in various contexts. For example: "The patient "made encouraging progress" in their recovery" or "The project team "made encouraging progress" towards the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "made encouraging progress"?

Alternatives include "achieved positive advancements", "showed positive development", or "improved notably". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "made encouraging progress" in formal writing?

Yes, "made encouraging progress" is suitable for formal writing. It is a neutral and professional way to describe positive developments. However, consider alternatives like "achieved promising advancements" if you want a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "made progress" and "made encouraging progress"?

"Made progress" simply indicates that there has been advancement. "Made encouraging progress" specifies that the progress is positive and gives reason for optimism. The latter implies not only advancement but also that the advancement is promising and likely to continue.