make progress on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make progress on something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing advancements or improvements in a particular task, project, or area of study. Example: "We are making progress on the new marketing strategy and expect to see results soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kids will learn so much more -- biology, chemistry, math, economics, etc. -- when it's tied to a project they create that seeks to make progress on something they care about.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not only will your time be spent doing something productive but you'll have a sense of satisfaction when you make progress on your new skills.

WikiHow

make progress on tough issues.

The New York Times

But ministers could make progress on Wednesday.

The New York Times

"There's nothing to make progress on.

The New York Times - Sports

Labour tried to make progress on this issue, he says.

The Guardian

We think you need something more like $300 to $800 billion over ten years, but at least we're making progress on that front.

Vice

Obama has made progress on Guantánamo.

The New Yorker

He has made progress on many fronts.

The New York Times

The family made progress on other fronts.

The New York Times

We are making progress on all these fronts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make progress on something" when you want to highlight advancement in a specific project or task. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the positive movement from one stage to another.

Common error

While "make progress on something" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise verbs like "advance", "improve", or "develop" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make progress on something" functions as a verbal phrase indicating action. It expresses the act of advancing or improving a particular task, project, or area. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a positive movement toward a goal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make progress on something" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to denote advancement or improvement. Although it's not very common, with few examples available, Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's considered generally neutral in tone, suitable for various contexts, but more precise alternatives may be preferable in highly formal writing. The phrase primarily functions to report on improvements, highlighting positive outcomes and effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance in something

Focuses on the act of moving forward, rather than the act of making progress.

improve on something

Emphasizes the act of enhancing or refining something that already exists.

develop something further

Highlights the expansion and growth of something.

work toward something

Focuses on the effort and dedication directed towards achieving a specific goal.

move forward with something

Stresses the continuation of a process or project.

make headway in something

Suggests overcoming obstacles and achieving noticeable progress.

gain ground on something

Implies gradually improving one's position or performance.

achieve advancement in something

Highlights the attainment of a higher level or status.

see improvement in something

Focuses on the observable positive changes that have occurred.

push forward with something

Implies a strong and determined effort to advance.

FAQs

How can I use "make progress on something" in a sentence?

You can use "make progress on something" to indicate advancement or improvement in a particular area. For example, "We hope to "make progress on something" significant this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "make progress on something"?

Alternatives include "advance in something", "improve on something", or "develop something further". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "make progress on something" formal or informal?

"Make progress on something" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives.

What's the difference between "make progress on something" and "achieve progress on something"?

While both phrases are similar, "make progress on something" is more common. "Achieve progress on something" is less frequently used and may sound slightly more formal or emphatic.