modest progress in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest progress in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing incremental or slight advancements in a particular area or field. Example: "The team has made modest progress in developing the new software application over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

We can, however, hope for modest progress in other areas.

The New York Times

This is modest progress in the battle for accountability, but progress nonetheless.

The Guardian

Lund, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, has made modest progress in his return.

The New York Times - Sports

There has already been modest progress in communication between the two militaries, American officials said.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is making modest progress in its push to reduce the unemployment rate.

The New York Times

Despite the violence, legislators said they had made modest progress in filling out a committee to write a new constitution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Momentum is growing ahead of the Paris climate talks [but] the modest progress made in Bonn did not match the significant action taking place around the world".

The Guardian

The airline and the union had reported modest progress earlier in the evening and at about midnight, Jeff Zack, a union spokesman said that the two sides had agreed to continue talking beyond the deadline.

The New York Times

Though there has been some modest progress on reform in recent years, disputes over the CAP are still acrimonious.

The Economist

Nevertheless, increased awareness of pain disparities and the initiatives to address these disparities have yielded only modest progress, most notably in the form of growing appreciation that pain disparities likely result from multiple factors, including biological, psychological, environmental, health system, and cultural factors.

The Journal of Pain

With numerous challenges in Vanuatu, only modest progress has been made in the form of introducing and creating awareness of the Tobacco Control Act, tobacco taxation increases, health warnings covering 30% of tobacco packages, enacting bans on TAPS and banning smoking in public places.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest progress in", follow it with specific details or examples to quantify or qualify the degree of progress. For instance, instead of just saying "There's modest progress in education", say "There's modest progress in education, with literacy rates increasing by 2% this year".

Common error

Avoid using "modest progress in" when the actual progress is substantial or significant. This can lead to understatement and misrepresentation of the actual achievements. Verify the magnitude of change before employing this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest progress in" functions as a modifier followed by a noun and a preposition, typically describing the degree of advancement within a specific domain. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is commonly used in various contexts to denote slight or incremental improvements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest progress in" is a commonly used expression to describe incremental advancements or improvements within a specific area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and business contexts. While indicating positive change, it also suggests that the progress is limited, and expectations should be tempered. Alternatives such as "slight advancement in" or "limited improvement in" can be used depending on the nuance you intend to convey. When employing this phrase, provide specific details to support and quantify the level of progress. Avoid using it when the achievements are substantial, to prevent misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight advancement in

Emphasizes a small degree of forward movement or improvement.

limited improvement in

Highlights the constrained or restricted nature of the positive change.

small gains in

Focuses on the minimal positive results achieved.

incremental development in

Stresses the gradual and step-by-step nature of the progress.

marginal advancement in

Indicates that the degree of positive change is barely noticeable.

restricted growth in

Highlights limitations on the positive expansion or development.

slight upturn in

Focuses on a small upward turn or positive trend.

partial success in

Suggests that the achievement of goals was incomplete or only partly realized.

minimal headway in

Emphasizes the slow or difficult nature of the positive movement.

gradual betterment in

Stresses the slow and steady improvement over time.

FAQs

How can I use "modest progress in" in a sentence?

You can use "modest progress in" to describe incremental advancements in a specific area. For example: "There has been "modest progress in" reducing unemployment rates this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "modest progress in"?

Alternatives include "slight advancement in", "limited improvement in", or "small gains in depending" on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "modest progress in" in formal writing?

Yes, "modest progress in" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing incremental improvements in business, academic, or scientific contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral and professional tone.

What's the difference between "modest progress in" and "significant progress in"?

"Modest progress in" indicates a small or limited advancement, while "significant progress in" suggests a considerable or substantial improvement. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.