progress has been slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progress has been slow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where advancements or improvements are occurring at a slower pace than expected or desired. Example: "Despite our efforts to implement the new strategy, progress has been slow in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Progress has been slow.

The Economist

However, progress has been slow.

The New York Times

But progress has been slow.

The New York Times

Further progress has been slow, though.

The Economist

"Progress has been slow," the report said.

The New York Times

Whatever the reasons, progress has been slow.

The New York Times

But progress has been slow so far.

The Guardian

Progress has been slow," Tongul said.

The Guardian

Progress has been slow, but it is coming.

The New York Times

For 596 Acres, the progress has been slow.

The New York Times

Settlement rates are declining but the progress has been slow.

Telecommunications Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "progress has been slow", specify the area where progress is lacking to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of just stating "progress has been slow", say "progress has been slow in implementing the new software system".

Common error

Avoid using "progress has been slow" as a standalone statement without explaining the reasons behind the slow progress or its implications. Provide details to enhance the statement's impact and informativeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progress has been slow" functions as a statement indicating the rate of advancement or improvement in a given context is less than expected or desired. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progress has been slow" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that advancement is not occurring at the desired pace. As Ludwig confirms, it is correct and suitable for diverse writing scenarios. The phrase is most commonly found in news reports, scientific publications, and academic writings. For clarity, it’s best to specify the area where progress is lacking. Related phrases include "advancement has been gradual" and "development has lagged". Avoiding overuse without context will make your statements more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advancement has been gradual

Replaces "progress" with "advancement" and "slow" with "gradual", emphasizing the incremental nature of the development.

development has lagged

Uses "development" instead of "progress" and "lagged" to suggest falling behind expectations.

the pace of progress has been insufficient

More formal; emphasizes the inadequacy of the rate of progress.

growth has been stunted

Implies that growth has been hindered or prevented from reaching its full potential.

the rate of advancement is not fast enough

Focuses on the speed of advancement, indicating it needs to be quicker.

there has been limited headway

Replaces "progress" with "headway", suggesting minimal forward movement.

the situation has seen little improvement

Shifts focus to the overall situation, indicating a lack of positive change.

efforts have yielded minimal results

Highlights that the outcomes of efforts are small or insignificant.

the project is not advancing rapidly

Focuses on the speed of advancement of a project.

things aren't moving forward quickly

An informal way of saying that progress is not happening at a satisfactory rate.

FAQs

How can I use "progress has been slow" in a sentence?

You can use "progress has been slow" to describe a situation where advancements are not happening as quickly as expected. For example: "Despite our efforts, "progress has been slow" in reducing carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "progress has been slow"?

Alternatives include "advancement has been gradual", "development has lagged", or "the pace of progress has been insufficient". You can also say that "growth has been stunted".

Is it correct to say "progress has been slowly"?

No, "progress has been slowly" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "progress has been slow", where "slow" acts as an adjective describing the state of progress.

What does it mean when someone says "progress has been slow"?

It means that the rate of improvement or advancement in a particular area is less than desired or expected. It implies that goals are not being achieved quickly enough, and there might be obstacles hindering advancement. For example: "Although funding was approved, "implementation has been slow"."