make real progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"make real progress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to make significant or tangible progress towards a goal or in a certain area. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal development, business, or education. Example: "Jane has been working tirelessly for the past year, and she has finally made real progress in her fitness journey. She has lost 20 pounds and can now run a 5k without stopping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are looking to make real progress".

Independent

But they can make "real progress".

The Guardian

"And we already need 400 years to make real progress.

The Guardian

Structural changes are needed to make real progress in public education.

The New York Times

Only after the leaders of each service committed their institutions did we make real progress.

The New York Times

This is the kind of external discipline we need if we are to make real progress.

Independent

"If kids make real progress, we're likely to see them catch up," he said.

The New York Times

For girls' education to make real progress in the next decade, this balance has to change.

The Guardian

The Panama Papers offer an opportunity to make real progress in ending offshore abuses.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just wait until after the elections, they think, and then we can make real progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new global fund gives us an opportunity to make real progress against H.I.V.-AIDS.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about long-term goals, use "make real progress" to highlight specific, demonstrable steps forward rather than just overall aspirations.

Common error

Avoid using "make real progress" to describe minor or insignificant improvements. Reserve it for situations where the advancement is genuinely substantial and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make real progress" functions as a verb phrase, with "make" acting as the main verb and "real progress" serving as the direct object. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely accepted and used in written English to describe advancing towards a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make real progress" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies achieving tangible advancements toward a specific goal. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media, and is generally considered to have a neutral register. While it's tempting to use the phrase for even slight improvements, reserving it for substantial advancements will add more weight to your writing. Remember that there are many alternatives to the phrase, and the best one will depend on the particular nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make substantial strides

Substitutes "real progress" with "substantial strides", emphasizing the magnitude of the improvement.

make positive strides

Similar to "make substantial strides", but emphasizes the positivity and benefit derived from the progress.

achieve tangible advancement

Replaces "make" with "achieve" and "real progress" with "tangible advancement", highlighting the attainment of measurable results.

move forward significantly

Emphasizes the forward direction and the notable extent of the movement.

make meaningful headway

Emphasizes making forward motion particularly when facing resistance.

gain considerable ground

Replaces "make real progress" with "gain considerable ground", focusing on the accumulation of advantages or position.

demonstrate concrete improvement

Highlights the exhibition of clear and visible enhancement.

realize significant gains

Focuses on the attainment of valuable benefits or increases.

effect genuine development

Focuses on the causation of authentic and meaningful growth.

advance effectively

Highlights efficient and productive forward movement.

FAQs

How can I use "make real progress" in a sentence?

You can use "make real progress" to describe advancement toward a goal, such as "The company needs to "make real progress" on its sustainability initiatives this year".

What are some alternatives to "make real progress"?

Some alternatives to "make real progress" include "achieve tangible advancement", "make substantial strides", or "gain considerable ground" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make real progress" or "make significant progress"?

Both "make real progress" and "make significant progress" are correct. "Make real progress" emphasizes tangible results, while "make significant progress" highlights the importance or impact of the advancement.

What's the difference between "make real progress" and "make true progress"?

"Make real progress" focuses on demonstrable advancement. In contrast, using the expression "make true progress" is less common and could emphasize the genuine or authentic nature of the progress.