move the plot forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move the plot forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing storytelling, literature, or film, particularly in the context of how events or actions contribute to the progression of a narrative. Example: "The unexpected twist in the story really helped to move the plot forward and kept the audience engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Entrepreneurs are the leading men of capitalism, the venturesome protagonists who move the plot forward.

The Economist

There's also an unhealthy amount of reliance on dream sequences and Garrett blacking out to move the plot forward.

The Guardian - Tech

It didn't necessarily have to move the plot forward, but it had to add tone or add to the overall feeling".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Whatever you want to do in fiction, alcohol can help: move the plot forward, or provide comedy, tragedy, explication, or a window into a character's soul.

The Guardian - Books

A mere episode after saying how pleased I was that Mark Duck Phillips Moseses had been added to the cast, I'm now already a bit exasperated by Dennis, a laughably two-dimensional weasel of a character, seemingly introduced solely to move the plot forward.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Then the showrunners spent three more episodes essentially refusing to move the plot forward.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Muhly's delight in sound can divert him from the basic work of moving the plot forward.

The New Yorker

Most full-length animated films give the best material to the subsidiary characters, leaving the heroes to function as straight men charged with moving the plot forward.

The New York Times

Mark Lamos's 1998 "Tosca" at New York City Opera, which also dispensed with the candlesticks and moved the plot forward in time, failed to cause any scandal.

The New Yorker

On Wednesday, Cohen will try to be a hero of this age: a flawed man with special powers, brought low by his own hubris, who moves the plot forward.

The New Yorker

Browde and Silverstone accomplish this by breaking the script down into narrative essentials — that is, by mostly using the language that moves the plot forward, as in a soap opera — and having the actors intone their lines with a great deal of heat but relatively little emotion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move the plot forward" when you want to emphasize how a specific event, character action, or plot device contributes to the overall progression and development of a story or narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "move the plot forward" in passive voice constructions where the subject performing the action is unclear. Instead, actively show how characters or events drive the story forward, for example: Instead of saying "The plot was moved forward by the character's actions", say "The character's actions moved the plot forward."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "move the plot forward" is as a verb phrase that typically acts as the predicate of a sentence or clause. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase describes an action taken to advance a narrative. It signifies the progression and development of a story's events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

10%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "move the plot forward" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe how elements contribute to the progression of a story or narrative. Ludwig AI shows that it is frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. When using the phrase, focus on actively illustrating how characters or events drive the story. Alternatives include "advance the storyline" or "progress the narrative". Avoid passive constructions for clarity and impact. The phrase is widely understood and accepted in discussions about storytelling and narrative development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance the storyline

Focuses specifically on the progression of the narrative's main events or themes.

progress the narrative

Emphasizes the gradual development and unfolding of the story.

drive the story onward

Highlights the energetic and continuous movement of the narrative.

propel the plot

Implies a forceful and dynamic push that advances the storyline.

develop the action

Focuses on the evolution and expansion of events within the plot.

evolve the narrative

Suggests a natural and organic growth of the story's elements.

further the plot

Highlights the action of helping the plot to go forward.

accelerate the story

Implies a faster pacing and quicker development of the narrative.

push the story forward

Emphasizes the deliberate action of advancing the story.

carry the storyline

Indicates the act of supporting and advancing the narrative.

FAQs

How can I use "move the plot forward" in a sentence?

You can use "move the plot forward" to describe how an event or character's action progresses a story. For example, "The discovery of the hidden letter helped to move the plot forward."

What are some alternatives to "move the plot forward"?

Alternatives include "advance the storyline", "progress the narrative", or "drive the story onward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary for every scene to "move the plot forward"?

While not every scene must directly move the plot forward, each scene should contribute to character development, atmosphere, or thematic resonance. Scenes that do not advance the plot can still add depth and meaning to the story.

How do strong characters "move the plot forward"?

Strong characters move the plot forward by making choices and taking actions that create conflict, drive the narrative, and ultimately shape the story's outcome. Their decisions directly impact the events and trajectory of the plot.