mean progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mean progress" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of average or typical progress, but it lacks clarity and is not commonly used. Example: "The mean progress of the students this semester has been encouraging, showing improvement in their grades."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Does this mean progress?

The Economist

For women on Wall Street, that could mean progress.

The New York Times

For Mr. Sheeran, rising rents, at least in commercial spaces, mean progress.

The New York Times

How he does it could mean progress or stalemate on the issue.

The New York Times

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes a lack silverware this season does not mean progress is not being made.

Independent

Everyone knew that it had to come down someday, and that when it did it would be a good thing, because that would mean progress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's also working at an ideological level to reinforce the idea that connectedness means peace, that internet access means progress (or even Progress), that working for a tech company is about making the world a better place.

The Guardian - Opinion

Winning the three-team group will mean progressing to a two-legged play-off in October against one of the other 13 group winners.

The Guardian - Sport

These numbers meant progress.

The New York Times - Sports

And science meant progress.

The New York Times - Arts

Moving, in that way, means progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about progress, ensure your sentence clearly articulates what factors are contributing to the improvement. Provide enough context to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "mean progress" in abstract contexts where a more precise term like "represent" or "indicate" would better convey the intended meaning. This can make your writing sound less vague and more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mean progress" functions as a linking phrase, attempting to establish a relationship between two concepts. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrasing can be grammatically questionable and may benefit from stronger verb choices to clearly articulate the intended relationship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mean progress" seeks to link a factor to the concept of advancement. While the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, Ludwig AI analysis suggests the expression is not considered ideal. Grammatically, it is questionable, and often, stronger verbs can improve clarity. For instance, "imply progress" or ""indicate growth"" might be more appropriate. While the phrase has been used, carefully consider the context and explore more precise language to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signify advancement

Replaces "mean" with "signify" and "progress" with "advancement", offering a more formal tone.

imply development

Substitutes "mean" with "imply" and "progress" with "development", suggesting a more subtle indication of forward movement.

indicate growth

Replaces "mean" with "indicate" and "progress" with "growth", focusing on the aspect of positive change.

represent improvement

Changes "mean" to "represent" and "progress" to "improvement", emphasizing the act of symbolizing positive change.

suggest headway

Replaces "mean" with "suggest" and "progress" with "headway", highlighting forward movement despite potential obstacles.

entail forward movement

Substitutes "mean progress" with "entail forward movement", providing a more descriptive and explanatory alternative.

equal positive evolution

Replaces "mean progress" with "equal positive evolution", indicating a direct equivalence with a gradual positive change.

translate to onward march

Replaces "mean progress" with "translate to onward march", suggesting a continuous and determined movement forward.

result in positive change

Changes "mean progress" to "result in positive change", focusing on the outcome of a process.

constitute positive evolution

Replaces "mean progress" with "constitute positive evolution", suggesting that something is a component of positive change.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "mean progress"?

Instead of "mean progress", consider using phrases like "indicate growth", "imply development", or "represent improvement". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "mean progress" grammatically correct?

While "mean progress" appears in some publications, it's not considered the most grammatically sound or stylistically strong choice. Using alternative verbs can often improve clarity and correctness.

How can I use "mean progress" in a sentence correctly?

While not ideal, if you choose to use "mean progress", ensure the sentence structure is clear and the context supports the meaning. For example: "For Mr. Sheeran, rising rents, at least in commercial spaces, mean progress." However, consider whether a more precise verb would be more effective.

What's the difference between "mean progress" and "imply progress"?

"Mean progress" suggests a direct equivalence, which can be too strong in many contexts. "Imply progress" is a more nuanced way of saying that something suggests forward movement without directly stating it.