moving upward

USAGE SUMMARY

"moving upward" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to describe a situation in which something or somebody is increasing or advancing in value, rank, level, etc. For example, "The public opinion polls show the President is moving upward in the rankings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He introduced a distinctive two-finger style, with the thumb moving downward and the forefinger moving upward, that contrasted with the traditional downward-moving clawhammer stroke.

The New York Times - Arts

In 2012, though, prices began moving upward.

The New York Times

This algorithm insures that you're generally moving upward.

The New Yorker

"We are constantly amazed by how high the levels are, and how they keep moving upward".

The New York Times

With even the most mediocre generals moving upward, the Army ossified at the top.

The New Yorker

It was easy to ignore the whispers because we seemed to be moving upward.

The New York Times

When the markets were moving upward, the perception of risk was non existent.

Forbes

As opposed to last year, they are moving upward on this trip.

The New York Times - Sports

PHOENIX — The hotel escalator was moving upward, but Amare Stoudemire was unsure of his destination.

The New York Times - Sports

They quickly reversed course when they sensed they were moving upward.

The New York Times

But on the whole, I expect this recovery's going to be moving upward".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial writing, pair it with adverbs like "steadily" or "slowly" to provide a clearer picture of market momentum.

Common error

Avoid using "moving upward" immediately after verbs that already imply upward motion, such as "climbing upward" or "ascending upward". These are tautologies because both verbs inherently contain the direction in their meaning. Simply use the verb alone or choose a more descriptive adverb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moving upward" functions as a present participle phrase. It consists of the participle "moving", which denotes ongoing action, and the adverb "upward", which specifies the direction. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to modify nouns or function as part of a continuous verb tense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Fiction

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moving upward" is a highly versatile and grammatically robust expression used to signal progression and elevation. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in financial news, where it describes recovering markets, and in scientific literature, where it denotes physical displacement or biological trends. Because it successfully bridges the gap between literal and figurative meaning, it is a reliable choice for writers across all disciplines. Whether you are describing an escalator in a hotel or the social mobility of a demographic, "moving upward" provides a clear, active and professional description of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascending

More formal and often used in technical or poetic contexts to describe physical rising.

rising

A very common synonym that focuses on the result of the motion rather than the process of movement.

trending upward

Specifically used for data, prices or abstract metrics over a period of time.

climbing

Suggests a steady or difficult progress, often used for stock prices or physical elevation.

advancing

Implies progress toward a goal or a higher rank rather than just vertical displacement.

progressing

Focuses on the developmental aspect of moving toward a better or higher state.

gaining ground

Idiomatic expression usually referring to competitive progress or improvement in status.

scaling up

Used when referring to an increase in size, volume or intensity.

lifting

Used when an external force is causing the upward movement or when clouds/spirits improve.

heading north

A financial colloquialism indicating that prices or values are increasing.

FAQs

How to use "moving upward" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical motion or abstract progress, such as "The balloon is "moving upward" through the clouds" or "The company's profits have been "moving upward" since the merger".

What is the difference between "moving upward" and "moving upwards"?

In American English, "upward" is more common as both an adjective and an adverb, whereas "upwards" is frequently used as an adverb in British English. Both are grammatically correct, though "moving upward" is often preferred in formal American writing.

What can I say instead of "moving upward"?

You can use alternatives like "ascending", "rising", or "trending higher" depending on the context.

Is "moving upward" formal enough for a business report?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for formal contexts. However, if you want to sound more precise regarding data, you might consider "steadily increasing" or "showing positive momentum".