making progress toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making progress toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing advancements or improvements in a particular area or goal. Example: "The team is making progress toward completing the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And we're making progress toward that goal.

The New York Times

And are they making progress toward it?

The New York Times

Are we making progress toward restarting the C.M.B.S. market?

The New York Times

That's a beautiful aspiration, and we're making progress toward it.

The New York Times

Making progress toward a tissue engineered heart valve.

Harvard University

Various companies are also making progress toward lowering costs.

MIT Technology Review

Researchers are making progress toward such ultrahigh-radio-frequency transistors.

MIT Technology Review

Accordingly, the commission will devote 2007 to formulating specific recommendations for making progress toward this objective.

The Economist

Egypt isn't so frugal, but it has been making progress toward matching spending to revenues.

The New Yorker

Nations making progress toward freedom will find America is their friend.

The New York Times

"I think we're making progress toward a three-way agreement," Mr. Bruno said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify progress whenever possible. Instead of saying "making progress toward a solution", specify "making progress toward a solution with a 20% reduction in errors". This adds credibility and impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the actual progress made. If advancements are minimal, using phrases like "taking initial steps toward" may be more appropriate than claiming substantial progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making progress toward" functions as a verbal phrase indicating active movement or advancement in the direction of a specified objective. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "making progress toward" effectively communicates ongoing advancement towards a goal. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains, including news, academia, and business. When using the phrase, ensure the objective is clearly defined and, when possible, quantify the progress to enhance credibility. While frequently used, be mindful of overstating actual advancements. Consider alternatives like "advancing toward" or "working towards" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advancing toward

Implies a forward movement, often used in a more formal context.

moving closer to

Suggests a gradual reduction in distance to a target.

working towards

Emphasizes the effort being applied.

heading towards

Conveys direction and momentum.

striving for

Highlights the ambition and effort involved in reaching a goal.

endeavoring to achieve

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing effort towards a goal.

gaining ground on

Indicates that one is reducing the distance with its target.

on track to achieve

Implies that current actions align with a plan for goal attainment.

developing in the direction of

Suggests a gradual evolution towards a certain state or outcome.

on the road to

Indicates a journey or process that leads to a specific destination.

FAQs

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

You can use "making progress toward" to indicate advancement or movement in the direction of a specific goal. For example, "The team is "making progress toward" completing the project ahead of schedule".

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

You can use alternatives like "advancing toward", "moving closer to", or "working towards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "making progress toward" or "making progress to"?

"Making progress toward" is the correct and idiomatic choice. "To" would suggest a different meaning, such as contributing to something rather than advancing towards it.

What's the difference between "making progress toward" and "achieving progress toward"?

"Making progress toward" emphasizes the ongoing process of advancement, while "achieving progress toward" suggests a specific instance of advancement has been accomplished. The first one focuses on the journey while the second focuses on the results.