made slow progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made slow progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where advancement or improvement is occurring, but at a gradual or sluggish pace. Example: "Despite the challenges, the team made slow progress on the project over the past few weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We made slow progress.

The New Yorker

Even mighty Google has made slow progress.

The New Yorker

Yet they made slow progress toward marriage.

The New York Times

Industry and trade made slow progress during these years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Army Group B made slow progress toward Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dzhugashvili made slow progress in the party hierarchy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Frogspawn made slow progress into a small number of frogs.

The Guardian

He has made slow progress in his mollification campaign.

The New York Times

However, the restructuring of the FARDC over the past four years has made slow progress.

The Economist

A criminal investigation into the causes of the disaster has made slow progress.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Paine contemplated writing a history of the French Revolution but he made slow progress exacerbated by his poor French.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made slow progress" to accurately portray situations where advancement is happening but is not rapid or significant. It's appropriate when the rate of progress is a relevant point of observation.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "made slow progress", you are not implying a complete standstill. If there is no advancement whatsoever, a different phrase like "stalled" or "remained static" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made slow progress" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the rate at which something is advancing. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made slow progress" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe gradual advancement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse fields, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While alternatives exist, such as "advanced gradually" or "progressed incrementally", "made slow progress" directly conveys the pace of development. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring that some progress, however minimal, is indeed occurring.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressed at a snail's pace

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the slowness of the progress.

advanced gradually

Focuses on the gradual nature of the advancement, without highlighting the lack of speed.

inched forward

Implies very small, almost imperceptible movements forward.

developed incrementally

Highlights that the progress happened in small steps or stages.

moved forward haltingly

Suggests the progress was not only slow but also interrupted or unsteady.

proceeded deliberately

Implies that the slowness was intentional or methodical, not necessarily a hindrance.

saw limited advancement

Focuses on the restriction or constraint on the progress achieved.

achieved modest gains

Emphasizes the smallness of the achievements or improvements.

experienced sluggish development

Highlights the lethargic or inactive nature of the progress.

trod a long and stony road

Emphasizes the difficulty associated with the progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "made slow progress" to describe gradual advancement, as in, "The negotiations "made slow progress" due to the complex issues involved."

What are some alternatives to "made slow progress"?

Alternatives include "advanced gradually", "progressed incrementally", or "inched forward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "made slow progress" or "made rapid progress"?

The choice depends entirely on the context. "Made slow progress" indicates gradual advancement, while "made rapid progress" suggests quick advancement. Select the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What does it mean when something "makes slow progress"?

It means that something is advancing or improving, but at a slow pace. This could be due to various factors, such as challenges, complexity, or limited resources.