making progress on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making progress on" is perfectly acceptable and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to indicate the process of working towards achieving a goal or solving a problem. For example, "We are making progress on reducing our plastic waste output."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ultimately, we want to make progress on both issues, but we just don't have the luxury of making progress on one contingent on making progress on the other.

The Economist

"We're making progress on one or two things," he said.

BBC

OBAMA: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes.

Independent

China seems to be making progress on pollution".

Independent

In the meanwhile, we're making progress on the mechanical repair.

The New York Times - Science

We are making progress on all these fronts.

The New York Times

My analyst says I'm making progress on my aggression issues.

The New Yorker

Clinton left office without making progress on either front.

The New Yorker

And we are all making progress on solving environmental problems.

The New York Times

They have also continued making progress on revenue sharing.

The New York Times - Sports

Greener, safer, cheaper: which countries are making progress on energy?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making progress on" to convey ongoing advancement in a task or project. It implies that effort is being put forth and results are gradually being achieved. For example, "The team is making progress on the new software update".

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "Progress is being made on the project". Instead, use the active voice: "We are making progress on the project". Active voice makes the sentence clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making progress on" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the act of advancing or developing in a particular area. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples show it applied across various contexts, from solving global issues to personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making progress on" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that indicates ongoing advancement towards a goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various domains contribute to its prevalence. It's particularly common in News & Media, Academia, and Science, serving to inform and assure about the status of tasks and projects. When using this phrase, remember to favor active voice and consider alternatives like "advancing in" or "developing" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making headway on

Indicates overcoming difficulties and achieving notable progress in a task or project.

moving forward with

Emphasizes the continuation of an activity or project, often after a pause or obstacle.

advancing in

Focuses on the forward movement or development within a specific area, suggesting a more general sense of improvement.

improving in

Focuses specifically on the act of becoming better at something, suggesting a measurable change.

developing

Highlights the process of growth and maturation, often used for skills or projects.

proceeding with

Indicates a continuation of actions or plans, often with a focus on orderly steps and established protocols.

gaining ground on

Implies reducing a deficit or overcoming an obstacle, suggesting competitive progress.

getting ahead with

Suggests surpassing expectations or competitors, implying a more rapid advancement.

flourishing in

Implies thriving and experiencing considerable success in a particular domain or field.

excelling in

Denotes exceeding standard performance levels and demonstrating superior competence.

FAQs

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

You can use "making progress on" to describe ongoing development or improvement in a specific area. For example, "The company is making progress on reducing its carbon footprint".

What are some alternatives to "making progress on"?

Alternatives include "advancing in", "developing", or "making headway on", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "progressing on" instead of "making progress on"?

While "progressing" is a valid verb, the phrase "making progress on" is more common and idiomatic. "Progressing on" might sound slightly awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "making progress on" and "achieving success in"?

"Making progress on" implies an ongoing process of improvement, while "achieving success in" suggests a completed accomplishment. You "make progress on" a project before you "achieve success in" it.