progressing on and off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progressing on and off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that is advancing intermittently, with periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity. Example: "The project has been progressing on and off due to various unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We're looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Initially these fluctuations tend to be predictable and progress to unpredictable fluctuations between the "on" and "off" states.

Clinical interventions in aging

Lights turned on and off.

The New York Times - Travel

He then insisted that he was not frustrated by the slow progress on and off the field.

The New York Times - Sports

The fight for an independent Aceh has been in progress, on and off, for half a century.

The Economist

"I feel that we've made progress on and off the field during this time, achieving stability and giving the club solid ground on which to move forward.

The Guardian - Sport

O'Shea deserves significant credit for the club's progress on and off the field since his appointment following the Bloodgate debacle of 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

Under the leadership of Huw Jenkins and an astute board, the Swans have made steady progress on and off the field and have slowly ascended the English leagues.

BBC

Ulster's Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, stated: "Over the past 18 months Ulster Rugby has made huge progress on and off the pitch".

BBC

"I feel we've made huge progress on and off the field in my time here and we have some positive foundations in place to build on for next season," he told the club website. .

BBC

He inherited a club in turmoil when he was appointed manager in January 2009 and although a miserable recent run of one win in nine has all but ended any hopes of a play-off place and there is still work to be done to ensure their survival, he insists there are clear signs of progress on and off the pitch.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the progress of a long-term project or initiative, use "progressing on and off" to accurately reflect periods of advancement and stagnation. This adds nuance and realism to your description.

Common error

While "progressing on and off" is useful for indicating intermittent progress, avoid using it excessively. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "advancing intermittently" or "developing sporadically".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressing on and off" functions as a compound verb phrase describing the manner in which something advances. It indicates that the progression is not constant but rather occurs intermittently. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progressing on and off" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe a situation or process advancing intermittently. While not extremely common, appearing in about 1% of Ludwig's corpus, it's applicable across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the intermittent nature of the progress you're describing, and avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "advancing intermittently" or "developing sporadically".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Off-and-on development

Uses a hyphenated structure to denote intermittence.

Advancing intermittently

Focuses on the sporadic nature of the advancement.

Developing sporadically

Highlights the irregular pattern of development.

Sporadic advancement

Underscores the occasional nature of the advancement.

Uneven development

Highlights the lack of uniformity in the development.

Improving in fits and starts

Emphasizes the uneven and jerky nature of the improvement.

Inconsistent improvement

Highlights the lack of uniformity in improvement.

Staggered advancement

Emphasizes the halting and irregular nature of the advancement.

Fluctuating progress

Indicates that progress varies and isn't steady.

Progressing erratically

Focuses on the unpredictable nature of the progress.

FAQs

How can I use "progressing on and off" in a sentence?

You can use "progressing on and off" to describe a situation that is advancing intermittently. For example, "The project has been progressing on and off due to various unforeseen challenges."

What are some alternatives to "progressing on and off"?

You can use alternatives like "advancing intermittently", "developing sporadically", or "improving in fits and starts", depending on the context.

What does it mean when something is "progressing on and off"?

It means that something is advancing or developing, but not continuously. There are periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity or stagnation.

Is it better to say "progressing on and off" or "making steady progress"?

It depends on the situation. "Making steady progress" implies continuous advancement, while "progressing on and off" suggests intermittent advancement. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual progress.