move something forward

USAGE SUMMARY

'move something forward' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the progress or advancement of a particular project, concept, process, etc. For example, "We need to move this project forward if we want to meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I feel that someday we'll move something forward," said Senator Rick Santorum, Republican of Pennsylvania, in an interview this week.

The New York Times

When have you had to increase your self-awareness in order to assure that you could move something forward?

Harvard Business Review

But I really don't believe that simply giving an answer is doing your job, because if the answer doesn't help move something forward or help the business, then what good was that answer?

The New York Times

"We really urge the lawmakers to set aside election year politics and to move something forward that would really benefit Americans," said Tate. "It's sad that such a good bill gets mired down in other politics".

Huffington Post

"I realize who's in the majority over there and if it takes convincing, I'll continue to try working with the speaker and anybody on either side of the aisle in the House of Representatives to try and move something forward".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But we also have followership, which can be pretty important to moving something forward as well.

Harvard Business Review

But if you want to talk about a moment that highlighted something, that moved something forward more than anything else, I would say January 1978, the CBS convention, which we closed.

The Guardian - Music

But what are companies really other than a collection of people moving something forward?

Forbes

Shuffling - paper, priorities, To Do lists, and plans instead of moving something forward and creating value for which customers are willing to pay.

Forbes

Which, just in terms of language, an adaptation is something that moves something forward.

Vice

My shoulders are sore, my back hurts, but I feel good because at least I'm moving something forward.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "advance something" or "propel something forward" to add nuance to your writing, depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Common error

While "move something forward" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal documents might make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using stronger, more precise verbs like "advance", "accelerate", or "facilitate" depending on the desired nuance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "move something forward" is that of a phrasal verb acting as a transitive verb phrase. It describes an action performed on an object ("something") to cause advancement. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and acceptable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Move something forward" is a common phrase used to describe the act of making progress or advancing a project or idea. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and acceptable for use in various contexts, particularly news and media, formal business, and general discussions. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and whether a more precise or formal synonym might be more appropriate. Remember to consider using alternative expressions to enrich the writing style and avoid overuse of the same words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance something

Replaces "move" with "advance", maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

propel something forward

Emphasizes a more forceful or energetic advancement.

progress something

Focuses on the gradual development and improvement of something.

push something ahead

Suggests overcoming obstacles to make progress.

facilitate something's progress

Highlights the act of making it easier for something to advance.

accelerate something

Implies speeding up the rate of advancement.

further something

A more formal alternative, suggesting support for the advancement of something.

help something along

An informal phrase suggesting assistance in making progress.

get something going

Focuses on initiating the progress of something that hasn't started yet.

boost something

Implies providing a sudden increase in momentum or progress.

FAQs

What does "move something forward" mean?

The phrase "move something forward" means to make progress or advance a project, plan, or idea. It implies taking action to ensure that something develops and achieves its intended goal.

How can I use "move something forward" in a sentence?

You can use "move something forward" in a sentence like this: "We need to "move this project forward" if we want to meet the deadline.".

What can I say instead of "move something forward"?

You can use alternatives like "advance something", "propel something forward", or "progress something" depending on the context.

Is "move something forward" formal or informal?

"Move something forward" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise verbs like "accelerate" or "facilitate" to achieve a more sophisticated tone.