move it along

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move it along" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to encourage someone to proceed or to hasten the pace of an activity or discussion. Example: "We need to move it along if we want to finish this project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Someone has got to move it along, graphically, and there's a clear candidate: John Pavlus.

The New York Times

But she will want to move it along quickly, he said.

The New York Times

"He'll say, 'Let's move it along,' " said one of Mr. Bush's senior aides.

The New York Times

As we do move it along, though, we would all do well to remember: Donna planted flowers, too.

The New York Times

"They've put a spotlight on it and really tried to move it along, because it would be a unique product".

The New York Times - Health

"We are here to say, 'Move it along,' " she said in a recent interview at the shelter, swinging her arms forward for emphasis.

The New York Times

"It's a world-class site and it takes a developer with chutzpah to take a gamble and move it along," said Robert Cotter, Jersey City's planning director.

The New York Times

"As you move it along, you get more or less signal depending on the shape and size of the sample," Mamin says.

MIT Technology Review

We're taking the best episodes [of the WordWorld TV show] and interspersing them with activities so the child can help move it along," explains Kay.

TechCrunch

You need a kinetic energy to move it along," Seinfeld said.

Huffington Post

"You'd like to move it along, but you can't hurry it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move it along" to politely but firmly encourage progress in a meeting or project. For example, "Let's move it along, we have a lot to cover today."

Common error

While "move it along" is generally acceptable, it can sound too informal in very formal or professional contexts. Opt for phrases like "proceed" or "advance" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move it along" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as an imperative. It is used to urge someone or something to proceed, progress, or advance more quickly. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase encourages hastening the pace of an activity or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "move it along" is an idiomatic expression used to encourage progress or expedite an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed in various contexts, though it's more prevalent in News & Media and Wiki contexts. The phrase serves as an imperative, urging movement or advancement, with the primary purpose of preventing delays. While generally neutral in tone, more formal situations may require alternatives like "proceed" or "expedite". In essence, "move it along" is a versatile phrase for prompting swift action, but contextual awareness is key to its most effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurry up

This is a more direct and less formal way to tell someone to be quick.

get a move on

This is an informal way to urge someone to start doing something quickly.

keep things moving

This emphasizes maintaining momentum in a process or activity.

speed it up

This emphasizes increasing the rate at which something is done.

get cracking

This is an informal British expression for starting something with energy.

expedite

This suggests a more formal and efficient progression of something.

advance it

This focuses on making something go further in its development or completion.

press on

This encourages continued effort despite challenges.

push forward

This implies overcoming obstacles to make progress.

make haste

This is an older, more formal way to say hurry.

FAQs

How can I use "move it along" in a sentence?

You can use "move it along" to encourage someone to proceed or to expedite a process. For example: "We need to "move it along" if we want to meet the deadline."

What's a more formal way to say "move it along"?

In more formal settings, you can use phrases like "proceed", "advance", or "expedite" instead of "move it along".

Is "move it along" appropriate for all situations?

While "move it along" is widely understood, it is best suited for informal or neutral contexts. In highly formal or professional settings, consider using more formal alternatives.

What can I say instead of "move it along" to sound less demanding?

To soften the tone, you can use phrases like "let's keep things moving" or "let's try to "keep things moving"".