moving the ball forward

USAGE SUMMARY

"moving the ball forward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts to mean making progress, or advancing something, whether literally, metaphorically, or figuratively. For example: We need to keep moving the ball forward if we're going to make any progress on this project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Second, it prevents players taking free kicks from moving the ball forward.

The New York Times

McIlroy watched Toa hit a few shots and suggested moving the ball forward in his stance.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully it will keep us moving the ball forward, or as it seems started moving forward again.

University of California, Berkeley

In his typically understated but rudimentarily perceptive way, he said, "Too many times we're going backward instead of moving the ball forward".

The New York Times - Sports

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois, accepted the need for tax reform and was instrumental in moving the ball forward.

The New York Times

That's moving the ball forward — making people more efficient with their time and able to effectively live longer lives therefore, you know, and making them happier".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Then Couples tried to move the ball forward.

The New York Times - Sports

She always wants to move the ball forward.

The Washington Post

Participants will leave the classroom knowing their next steps to move the ball forward.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"This is not the full solution, but this moves the ball forward," he said.

The New York Times

"I'm confident we're going to move the ball forward".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moving the ball forward" when you want to emphasize progress towards a goal, especially in collaborative or team-oriented settings.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "moving the ball forward" can be considered too informal for highly academic papers. Opt for more precise and scholarly language to convey progress or advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moving the ball forward" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It represents the action of making progress or advancing a cause. As stated by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moving the ball forward" is a widely accepted and frequently used gerund phrase that signifies making progress or advancing a goal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for diverse writing contexts and offers versatile communication. While its use is prevalent in neutral to professional settings like News & Media and Formal & Business communications, it is essential to exercise caution in highly formal academic writing. Alternatives such as "pushing forward" or "gaining ground" provide similar semantic value with potentially different connotations. The phrase is grammatically correct, boasting a high expert rating and is supported by numerous authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pushing forward

This suggests a determined and forceful effort to advance.

making headway

This suggests overcoming obstacles and making noticeable progress.

building momentum

This implies creating increasing support and energy for a cause or project.

gaining ground

This implies competition and gradually improving one's position.

driving progress

This emphasizes actively leading and accelerating advancement.

advancing the agenda

This phrase is more formal and often used in political or organizational contexts.

furthering the cause

This phrase emphasizes supporting a specific belief or movement.

facilitating advancement

This highlights the role of making progress easier for others.

propelling onward

This implies a strong force moving something forward.

accelerating development

This emphasizes speeding up the growth or improvement of something.

FAQs

What does "moving the ball forward" mean?

The phrase "moving the ball forward" means making progress or advancing a project, idea, or goal. It suggests taking actions that contribute to achieving a desired outcome.

How can I use "moving the ball forward" in a sentence?

You can use "moving the ball forward" in sentences like, "The new policy is aimed at "advancing the agenda" on climate change", or "Let's focus on "making headway" with this initiative".

What are some alternatives to "moving the ball forward"?

Some alternatives to "moving the ball forward" include "pushing forward", "gaining ground", or "furthering the cause", depending on the context.

Is "moving the ball forward" a formal or informal expression?

"Moving the ball forward" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. While widely used in business and news contexts, it might be less appropriate for formal academic writing.