making gradual progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making gradual progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something is improving or advancing slowly over time. Example: "After several weeks of practice, she is making gradual progress in her piano skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Departments have been making gradual progress in reducing racial disparity in the force.

The Guardian

The country has been making gradual progress in other ways, though.

The New Yorker

TAGSYS is in many ways the archetypal RFID company: toiling for many years, making gradual progress, but still waiting for its core markets to reach critical mass.

MIT Technology Review

For years nuclear scientists have talked about a revival of molten-salt reactors, which are powered by a liquid fuel rather than solid fuel rods, as a way to help spark the long-awaited "nuclear renaissance". Recent developments indicate that this alternative nuclear reactor design is finally making gradual progress toward commercialization.

MIT Technology Review

"We've been making gradual progress since Christmas time, but our run has come to an end and now we need to get on another one," Williams said.

BBC

According to updates posted to its official tech blog, Dropbox technicians have been making gradual progress on restoring service to affected users, but it's noting via its Dropbox Support Twitter account that "not everything is working for everybody".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Even Somalia might, with better policy and luck, have made gradual progress -- rather like its once equally hapless neighbors Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The New York Times

"He's made gradual progress because when he first took over he didn't have any money to spend.

Independent

The rebels have made gradual progress lately, but NATO worries that Libya is becoming a long, deadly, expensive stalemate.

The New York Times

So the two survey are saying the same thing: job growth fast enough to make gradual progress on the employment front.

The New York Times

The game must make gradual progress and continue to grow.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing long-term projects or personal development, use "making gradual progress" to set realistic expectations and acknowledge that improvements may be slow but consistent.

Common error

Avoid using "making gradual progress" when describing situations that require rapid or significant change. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where slow and steady improvement is acceptable or expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making gradual progress" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing process of improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression describing slow but consistent advancement. The examples show its application across diverse subjects from technology to sports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making gradual progress" is a versatile phrase used to describe slow but steady improvement across diverse fields. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. Its frequency in news and media highlights its relevance in reporting on ongoing developments. The phrase is neither overly formal nor informal, making it suitable for a broad range of communication. When using this phrase, remember to apply it to situations where steady, incremental change is appropriate and to avoid overselling modest improvements. By contrasting it with alternative phrases such as "achieving steady advancement" or "gaining ground incrementally", you can fine-tune the message to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving steady advancement

Replaces "making" with "achieving" and "gradual progress" with "steady advancement", emphasizing consistency.

gaining ground incrementally

Substitutes "making gradual progress" with "gaining ground incrementally", highlighting the step-by-step nature of the advancement.

slowly but surely advancing

Replaces "making gradual progress" with "slowly but surely advancing", conveying a sense of measured and reliable advancement.

inching forward steadily

Uses "inching forward steadily" to describe slow and continuous movement toward a goal.

making slow but consistent headway

Replaces "gradual progress" with "slow but consistent headway", stressing consistent movement toward a goal, even if slow.

developing bit by bit

Replaces "making gradual progress" with "developing bit by bit", highlighting the small increments of development.

moving forward in stages

Emphasizes the phased nature of the advancement process.

advancing at a measured pace

Highlights the controlled and deliberate speed of advancement.

realizing incremental gains

Focuses on the gains made in small steps.

getting better little by little

Implies a gradual improvement happening in small increments.

FAQs

How can I use "making gradual progress" in a sentence?

You can use "making gradual progress" to describe a situation where someone or something is improving slowly over time, such as "The company is "making gradual progress" in reducing its carbon footprint."

What are some alternatives to "making gradual progress"?

Some alternatives include "achieving steady improvement", "gaining ground incrementally", or "advancing at a measured pace", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "making gradual progress" in a formal setting?

Yes, "making gradual progress" is suitable for formal settings. It clearly and professionally conveys the idea of slow but consistent improvement.

What's the difference between "making gradual progress" and "making significant progress"?

"Making gradual progress" implies a slow and steady rate of improvement, whereas "making significant progress" suggests a more rapid and noticeable advancement.