prevent progress

USAGE SUMMARY

'prevent progress' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is hindering or stopping something from progressing or improving. For example: "The lack of resources is preventing any real progress from being made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It is simply exploiting the restrictive planning laws in this country that prevent progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

We must achieve a mature and pragmatic relationship where disagreement in one area does not prevent progress in another.

The Economist

Ms. Rice said she did not think that the uncertainty of the process would prevent progress on the disputes at the center of these latest talks.

The New York Times

QUESTION FROM GUEST: Do you think it is ideological barriers that prevent progress or is it just old fashioned cronyism and greed?

The New Yorker

The minority has a right to voice legitimate concerns, but it must not employ this tactic to prevent progress on everything at a critical juncture for our country.

The New York Times

We need to campaign again to prevent progress stalling now, against a greater assault from a government than we have seen at any time in the history of the welfare state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Missing an important item may make prevent progressing to the next part.

WikiHow

What prevents progress on these issues?

The New York Times

This causes a backlash and prevents progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

This impasse, in turn, prevents progress on economic and political union.

The Economist

Combined, they have prevented progress to a more effective economy unencumbered by traditional subsidies and benefits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevent progress" when you want to clearly indicate an action or factor that is stopping something from moving forward or improving. For example, "Bureaucracy can prevent progress on important projects."

Common error

Avoid using "prevent progress" in overly obvious contexts where the prevention is already implied. For example, instead of saying "The obstacle will prevent progress forward", simply say "The obstacle will prevent progress" as "forward" is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent progress" functions as a verb phrase where "prevent" acts as a transitive verb taking "progress" as its direct object. This structure clearly indicates an action (preventing) and its target (progress). Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevent progress" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of hindering or stopping advancement. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase appears frequently in news media and scientific contexts, suggesting its versatility across different domains. While the phrase is generally straightforward, it's important to consider nuances in similar phrases like "hinder advancement" or "impede development", which carry slightly different connotations. Furthermore, avoiding redundancy and ensuring clarity in context are key to effective usage. While "prevent progress" is widely understood and accepted, paying attention to these subtleties will enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinder advancement

Replaces "prevent" with "hinder" and "progress" with "advancement", offering a slightly more formal tone.

inhibit development

Similar to impede, "inhibit" suggests a restraining or suppressing effect on development.

impede development

Uses "impede" instead of "prevent" and "development" instead of "progress", suggesting a slowing down of growth.

obstruct advancement

Employs "obstruct" to indicate a blockage or barrier to advancement.

stall advancement

Replaces "prevent" with "stall", implying a temporary halt to advancement.

thwart advancement

Employs "thwart", meaning to prevent someone from accomplishing something, in this context, advancement.

block improvement

Substitutes "block" for "prevent" and "improvement" for "progress", highlighting the obstruction of positive change.

arrest development

Uses "arrest", suggesting a complete stop to development.

curtail progress

Replaces "prevent" with "curtail", indicating a reduction or restriction of progress.

delay progress

Focuses on the act of postponing or slowing down progress rather than completely stopping it.

FAQs

How can I use "prevent progress" in a sentence?

You can use "prevent progress" to describe actions or factors that hinder advancement. For example: "Lack of funding can "prevent progress" in scientific research."

What are some alternatives to "prevent progress"?

Alternatives include "hinder advancement", "impede development", or "obstruct advancement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "prevent progress" or "stop progress"?

"Prevent progress" and "stop progress" are often interchangeable. "Prevent" implies anticipating and averting something, while "stop" suggests an immediate halt. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you wish to convey.

What causes typically "prevent progress"?

Many things can "prevent progress", including lack of resources, internal conflicts, external barriers, or outdated methods. Identifying the root cause is crucial for overcoming these obstacles.