making incremental progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making incremental progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing gradual improvements or advancements in a particular area or project. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we are making incremental progress towards our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

High-achieving students might be making incremental progress — but is this new?

The New York Times

Transportation officials in the region say they are making incremental progress in improving road conditions.

The New York Times

We experimented with a number of different processes over the years, each time making incremental progress.

The Economist

Then Mr. Clinton adjusted and focused more on making incremental progress toward his goals.

The New York Times

But now, after years of moribund diplomacy in the face of horrific bloodshed and waves of terrified refugees, he seemed to be making incremental progress.

The New Yorker

But both Yankees catchers are making incremental progress in their return from injuries, Posada to his right shoulder and Molina to his left hamstring.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But the Islanders have made incremental progress in other areas.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, Gambetti's lab began to make incremental progress in understanding the disease.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I expect this to be a journey where we continue to make incremental progress," she said.

The New York Times

Since Reyes strained his right hamstring March 14, he has made incremental progress and then had several setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

He described how Parks had made incremental progress each year, but its test scores "cast a cloud of doubt over whether Parks Middle School even deserved to exist at all".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining project goals, use "making incremental progress" to set realistic expectations and celebrate smaller milestones, which can maintain motivation and demonstrate ongoing value.

Common error

Avoid using "making incremental progress" when describing significant leaps or breakthroughs. This phrase is best suited for situations where change is gradual and continuous rather than sudden or revolutionary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making incremental progress" functions as a verb phrase describing an ongoing action of achieving gradual advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making incremental progress" describes a process of steady but gradual advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly used in news, science, and general contexts to convey realistic expectations and highlight continuous improvement. Remember, this phrase is most effective when describing gradual change, not sudden breakthroughs. Consider alternatives like "gradually improving" or "achieving gradual gains" for variety. By using "making incremental progress" thoughtfully, you can effectively communicate the nature of ongoing development in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving incremental advancements

Synonymous, replaces "progress" with the more formal "advancements".

gradually improving

A more concise and direct way of expressing the idea of gradual improvement.

achieving gradual gains

Focuses on the gains or benefits achieved through incremental steps.

advancing step by step

Emphasizes the methodical, stepwise nature of the progress.

realizing steady improvement

Highlights the consistent and unwavering nature of the improvement.

making steady headway

Suggests consistent forward movement despite potential obstacles.

moving forward in small steps

Highlights the small, manageable steps involved in making progress.

making slow but sure progress

Emphasizes the certainty of progress, even if it is slow.

witnessing gradual development

Focuses on observing the unfolding of progress over time.

building momentum slowly

Emphasizes building up force or speed over time.

FAQs

What does "making incremental progress" mean?

It means achieving progress in small steps or stages over a period of time, rather than making large or sudden advancements.

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

You can use it to describe gradual improvements. For example, "The team is "making incremental progress" on the project despite the challenges."

What can I say instead of "making incremental progress"?

You can use alternatives like "gradually improving", "achieving gradual gains", or "advancing step by step".

Is it better to aim for "making incremental progress" or large, rapid changes?

It depends on the situation. "Making incremental progress" /s/making+incremental+progress is often more sustainable and manageable, while large changes can be disruptive and difficult to implement. However, aiming for large changes might be needed to innovate.