progressed towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progressed towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate movement or advancement in a particular direction or toward a specific goal or outcome. Example: "The team has progressed towards completing the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inexorably, Ebdon added the remaining two frames of the afternoon as he progressed towards a quarter-final with the defending champion Shaun Murphy.

The Guardian - Sport

As his downhill putt progressed towards the cup, it looked for one moment that the dream was about to become reality – and another nightmare for Strange.

The Guardian - Sport

As the regional plan wraps up, Mac-Seing says that the energy has naturally progressed towards national ownership of inclusive HIV-programming.

The Guardian

"When M23 progressed towards Goma on November 19 , 2012 RDF units operated alongside M23 in combat at the airport and close to one of Goma's border posts into Rwanda".

The Guardian

All this really does matter, because while the check continues, there is the danger that some schools will train children to pass it, however far they have progressed towards reading for meaning.

The Guardian

"Gould wanted to downgrade the conceit that it all progressed towards us, towards humans, and I fully approved of that," he says now, even as he makes sure to add, "But evolution most certainly is progressive".

The New York Times - Science

Swimming even took on a political aspect: as women progressed towards suffrage, they started to campaign for mixed bathing, swimming lessons, more functional swimwear and the right to compete.

Independent

The advent of internet wagering, including the likes of Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW), has slashed funding for horsemen and purses, the revenue for which is primarily funded from on-track handles that traditionally progressed towards a 50-50 model between the two.

The Guardian - Sport

When the talk is of monarchy, as it inevitably will be over the next weeks, those 1,200 words will be the mark of whether the Royal Family has progressed towards an open, more popular future or fallen back on the stiffness of tradition and silence.

The Guardian

The formation of biomechanical stable cartilage began at the edge and progressed towards the centre of the defect.

Acta Biomaterialia

In reality, though, how far have we progressed towards being able to create an intelligent robot just "'cause we could"?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "progressed towards" to describe gradual advancement or movement toward a specific goal or state. It is particularly effective when emphasizing the process rather than the final achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "progressed towards" when the action has already been fully completed. It's more appropriate to say "achieved" or "completed" rather than implying an ongoing process when the final state has been reached.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressed towards" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating movement or advancement in a specific direction or toward a particular goal. As Ludwig examples show, it describes the ongoing nature of development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "progressed towards" is a prepositional phrase used to describe movement or advancement in a direction or towards a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in neutral to formal contexts such as science, news media, and wiki articles. While alternatives like "moved towards" or "advanced towards" exist, "progressed towards" effectively emphasizes the ongoing process of development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advanced towards

Indicates a forward movement, often suggesting a deliberate or strategic approach.

moved towards

A general term for changing position in the direction of something.

moved closer to

Emphasizes the reduction of distance between the subject and the object.

developed toward

Focuses on gradual growth or evolution in a particular direction.

headed towards

Implies intention or direction in movement.

worked toward

Highlights the effort and actions taken to achieve a specific outcome.

gravitated toward

Suggests a natural or irresistible attraction towards something.

trended toward

Indicates a general direction or pattern of change.

shifted toward

Implies a change in focus, strategy, or inclination.

evolved toward

Highlights gradual changes over time, especially in biological or cultural contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "progressed towards" in a sentence?

Use "progressed towards" to indicate movement or advancement toward a goal or state. For example, "The project "progressed towards" completion despite the initial challenges."

What are some alternatives to saying "progressed towards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "moved towards", "advanced towards", or "developed towards" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "progressed toward" or "progressed towards" more correct?

"Progressed towards" is more common and generally preferred, though "progressed toward" is also acceptable. The addition of 's' in "towards" is often a matter of regional preference.

What is the difference between "progressed towards" and "achieved"?

"Progressed towards" indicates ongoing movement or development, whereas "achieved" signifies the successful completion of a goal. "Progressed towards" suggests the process is underway, while "achieved" indicates the end result.