progressing slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

"progressing slowly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or process that is advancing at a gradual pace. For example, "The project is progressing slowly due to unforeseen challenges." Alternative expressions include "moving at a slow pace" and "advancing gradually."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

New building is progressing slowly.

The New Yorker

I'm progressing slowly," Barton said.

Independent

Their wedding plans are progressing slowly.

Independent

Progressing slowly was fine by me.

The New York Times

The convoy is progressing slowly with aerial backup.

The Guardian

Planning has begun, but the project is progressing slowly.

The New York Times

By 1985, two years into the Pharmacia's contract with Columbia, the company's research was progressing slowly.

The New York Times

Russia formally opened talks to join this year, though talks are progressing slowly.

The New York Times

Moscow also formally opened talks to join the O.E.C.D. this year, though they are progressing slowly.

The New York Times

With labor talks progressing slowly, Stern has been gradually divulging more details about the league's objectives.

The New York Times - Sports

The company has tested just on rats and is progressing slowly, it says, because of a lack of money.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing project timelines or recovery processes, use "progressing slowly" to manage expectations realistically. For example, "The patient is progressing slowly, but steadily, with physical therapy."

Common error

Avoid using "progressing slowly" when the situation is stagnant or regressing. Ensure that there is actual, albeit slow, improvement. If there is no change or a decline, use phrases like "stalled" or "declining" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressing slowly" typically functions as a verbal phrase, often used within a clause to describe the manner in which an action or process is unfolding. Ludwig AI examples illustrate this usage across various contexts, indicating its role in qualifying the verb it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progressing slowly" is a versatile phrase used to describe gradual advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields like news, science, and general discourse. While it's appropriate for neutral to professional registers, avoid using it when describing situations that are stagnant or declining. Consider alternatives such as ""advancing gradually"" or ""developing incrementally"" for nuanced expression. Remember to use "progressing slowly" to realistically manage expectations and accurately portray the pace of unfolding events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advancing gradually

Focuses on the gradual nature of the advancement.

developing incrementally

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the development.

moving at a snail's pace

Emphasizes the extreme slowness of the movement.

proceeding deliberately

Suggests a careful and unhurried approach.

unfolding steadily

Highlights the consistent but slow revelation or development.

evolving gradually

Emphasizes the gradual evolution or transformation.

maturing slowly

Focuses on the slow pace of reaching full development.

gaining ground slowly

Indicates a slow and perhaps difficult advancement.

creeping along

Suggests a barely perceptible movement forward.

inching forward

Implies a very small and slow progress.

FAQs

How can I use "progressing slowly" in a sentence?

You can use "progressing slowly" to describe situations where advancement is happening at a gradual pace. For example: "The negotiations are "progressing slowly" due to disagreements on key issues."

What are some alternatives to "progressing slowly"?

Alternatives include "advancing gradually", "developing incrementally", or "moving at a snail's pace", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "progressing slowly but surely"?

While "progressing slowly but surely" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can be seen as somewhat redundant. "Slowly" already implies a gradual pace, and "surely" suggests a guaranteed outcome. You can choose to use it for emphasis, but it's often more concise to use either ""progressing slowly"" or "progressing steadily".

What's the difference between "progressing slowly" and "stalling"?

"Progressing slowly" indicates some degree of advancement, even if it's gradual. "Stalling", on the other hand, means that progress has stopped altogether. If something is "progressing slowly", it's still moving forward; if it's stalling, it's not.