must be progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a belief or assumption that a certain situation or development indicates advancement or improvement. Example: "Given the recent changes in the project, it must be progress that we are seeing more engagement from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This, I thought, must be progress.

The New York Times - Sports

"We say very clearly that the problem cannot be solved from one day to the next," she added, "but when we hold the next such meeting, there must be progress".

The New York Times

The water session this morning : it must be progress when CEOs, ministers of finance and presidents focus on the global water crisis even if the answers only semi-reassuring.

The Guardian

Yet there must be progress in the field.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

But with hope there must be progress on breaking the transportation funding stalemate that is harming American competitiveness, eroding our cities, and idling millions of jobs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Considering that the O2 sensitive cell lines proliferated more slowly at 21% O2 compared to 3% O2 despite having smaller proportions of their cell population in G1 and a increased proportions in S and G2, we conclude that these cells must be progressing more slowly through the cell cycle.

Plosone

All exercises must be progressed during the program.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The taboo is being busted in accordance with our progression as a society, it seems, which must surely be progress in itself.

Vice

The only outcome must be forward progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

Second, there must be methodical progress that leads to results.

The New York Times

Or at least "starting internally to look" at the issue, which must be considered progress of some kind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be progress" when you want to express a degree of optimism or hope about a situation, suggesting that positive developments are underway.

Common error

Avoid using "must be progress" when the situation is uncertain or the evidence of advancement is weak. Instead, consider using phrases that convey less certainty, such as "might be progress" or "could indicate progress".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be progress" primarily functions as an expression of belief or assumption about a situation. It suggests that certain developments indicate a positive advancement or improvement. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be progress" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express optimism or a confident assumption that a situation is improving. As indicated by Ludwig, it’s best suited for contexts where there is reasonable evidence to support the expectation of advancement. It is observed mostly in News & Media and Science contexts, and while straightforward in meaning, it’s important to use it when a genuine sense of betterment is present, rather than in situations of high uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should represent advancement

Focuses on indicating that a specific situation should embody progress.

ought to signify improvement

Emphasizes a moral obligation for something to indicate a positive change.

has to constitute betterment

Stresses the necessity of something leading to a better state.

needs to embody development

Highlights the requirement for something to fully represent growth.

should be indicative of forward movement

Focuses on showing that something is moving towards improvement.

implies positive transformation

Highlights the suggestion of a shift to something better.

signals constructive change

Emphasizes that an indicator points towards beneficial alterations.

presumes continued evolution

Highlights the anticipation of something continuing to advance.

suggests ongoing enhancement

Underscores that the situation shows a continual improvement.

it indicates a step forward

Simple restatement focusing on any action in a forward direction.

FAQs

How can I use "must be progress" in a sentence?

You can use "must be progress" to express a belief that a particular situation or development indicates advancement or improvement. For example, "Given the new initiatives, it "must be progress" that we are seeing more engagement from the team."

What are some alternatives to "must be progress"?

Alternatives include "should represent advancement", "ought to signify improvement", or "has to constitute betterment", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "must be progress" or "should be progress"?

"Must be progress" implies a stronger degree of certainty or expectation, while "should be progress" suggests a desirable but less certain outcome. The better choice depends on the level of confidence you have in the situation actually representing advancement.

In what situations is it best to use the phrase "must be progress"?

The phrase "must be progress" is most appropriate when you observe changes that logically point toward positive development, and you want to express optimism or a firm expectation that advancement is indeed occurring.