move upwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move upwards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is advancing or shifting in a higher direction. For example, "The stock market has moved upwards in the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So why are they struggling to move upwards?

The Guardian

As a result, it has become harder for those at the bottom to move upwards.

The Economist

In terms of career progression you can move upwards into management or become a clinical supervisor.

The Guardian

"So we start with the low end of the market and move upwards".

The New York Times

The rate for private inter-bank loans (Libor) continues to move upwards as the crisis worsens.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even a man of Hastings's undisguised distinction would struggle to move upwards from there.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As the manufacturers of South-East Asia move upwards into higher value-added products, export growth should pick up again.

The Economist

At 29, the colourful Austrian is entitled to a move upwards and onwards if he can get one.

The Guardian - Sport

THE most graphic measure of the Iraq war's gravity is the body count, which has taken a sharp move upwards in recent weeks.

The Economist

But the reforms would strike at the most pernicious, unfair sorts of income disparity and allow more people to move upwards.

The Economist

Back in the UK, inflation figures showed year-on-year growth of 1.8% in September, unchanged from August, compared with expectations of a move upwards to 1.9%.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing career progression, use "move upwards" to clearly indicate advancement to a higher position. For example, "Employees have opportunities to "move upwards" within the company".

Common error

While acceptable, "move upwards" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "advance" or "ascend" in certain professional documents. Choose vocabulary that matches the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move upwards" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of ascending or progressing to a higher level. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing both physical movement and abstract progression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "move upwards" is a versatile verb phrase indicating a shift or progression to a higher position, level, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is considered very common across various contexts including news, science, and business. While generally neutral in register, "move upwards" can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "ascend" or "advance" depending on the desired tone. When using "move upwards", ensure clarity in describing the specific type of progression, whether it's physical, professional, or economic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go up

A simpler, more direct way of saying "move upwards".

rise

A general term for moving to a higher position or level.

ascend

Implies a gradual or continuous climb or rise.

advance

Suggests progress, often in a career or social standing.

progress

Focuses on forward movement, typically in a positive direction.

climb

Indicates effort and overcoming obstacles to reach a higher level.

elevate

Implies lifting or raising something to a higher position.

scale

Suggests climbing or overcoming something, often a large object.

increase

Focuses on a quantitative rise in number, level, or amount.

improve

Suggests becoming better or of a higher quality.

FAQs

How can I use "move upwards" in a sentence?

You can use "move upwards" to describe physical movement, career progression, or abstract concepts such as economic trends. For example: "Steam tends to move upwards", "Employees can move upwards into management", or "Inflation is expected to move upwards".

What are some alternatives to "move upwards"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "move upwards" include "ascend", "rise", "advance", or simply "go up".

Is it better to use "move upwards" or "move upward"?

"Move upwards" and "move upward" are both grammatically correct, but "move upwards" is more common. "Upward" is an adjective while "upwards" is an adverb. For instance, "The trend is upward" (adjective) versus "The trend is moving upwards" (adverb).

In what contexts is "move upwards" most appropriate?

"Move upwards" is suitable across various contexts, from describing physical phenomena to career advancement and economic trends. Consider your audience and the desired level of formality when deciding whether to use "move upwards" or a more formal alternative.