progressing upwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progressing upwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or trend that is improving or moving to a higher level, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The company's profits have been progressing upwards steadily over the last few quarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A career path that had been progressing upwards since he succeeded Phil Larder at Sheffield in 1996, and peaked when he was appointed England coach for the 2000 World Cup, started downwards in the build-up to that tournament when he lost his club job for failing to make a success of Sheffield's ill-conceived merger with Huddersfield.

The Guardian - Sport

The lower part is calcified in situ by aragonite, progressing upwards into uncalcified kerogen characterised by up to 1% sulphur, followed by an upper layer that contains intact filaments at the surface.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Progressing upwards in the tower, the pressure and temperature decreases for each succeeding stage.

Wikipedia

Then have your child tense each group of muscles one at a time, starting with the feet and progressing upwards to the neck.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My progress upwards was accompanied by the occasional fart, courtesy of the white beans I'd recently consumed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We also have a much better idea of how they then progress upwards on sloping beaches or move backwards followed by even more dangerous upslope surge.

The Guardian

Skin colour and ethnic background still impact on whether you get your foot through the door, can progress upwards, and the extent to which your skills and talents are valued.

The Guardian

In Boston James D'Wolf Lovett recalled, "In 1861 the Civil War burst and many baseball plans were disarranged thereby, some of the players enlisting upon the first call for troops; and during the war's progress upwards of fifty members of Boston's clubs were to be found in Uncle Sam's ranks".

The New York Times

The concrete cover just beyond the repaired region spalled off, and the cover spalling progressed upwards until testing was terminated.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

This progresses upwards with increasing complexity to the end of secondary level education - where a study of world history requires an analysis of the role of specified Russian leaders in the break-up of the Soviet Union.

BBC

Although Henry "progresses upwards toward manhood and moral triumph", as he begins to mature by taking leave of his previous "romantic notions," "the education of the hero ends as it began: in self deception".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual and consistent rise, consider using "progressing upwards" to convey a sense of ongoing improvement or advancement. For example, "The patient's recovery was progressing upwards slowly but surely."

Common error

Avoid using "progressing upwards" when the upward direction is already implied by the verb itself. Instead, consider just using "progressing" when the context makes the direction clear, to prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressing upwards" functions as a verb phrase, describing a process of advancement or improvement in an upward direction. It specifies the direction of progress, indicating an increase in level, status, or some other measurable quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "progressing upwards" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a process of advancing or improving in an upward direction. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a usable phrase in English. While it can sometimes be considered redundant depending on the context, it often adds clarity by explicitly specifying the direction of progress. It is most commonly found in scientific, news media, and wiki contexts. Alternatives such as "advancing upward" or "moving upward" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When writing, ensure that the use of "upwards" is necessary to avoid redundancy and clearly convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advancing upward

Replaces "progressing" with "advancing", emphasizing forward movement.

moving upward

Uses "moving" instead of "progressing", suggesting a continuous shift.

escalating upwards

Adds a sense of increasing intensity or scale.

climbing steadily

Implies a gradual and consistent increase.

rising progressively

Highlights the incremental nature of the increase.

ascending gradually

Suggests a slow and controlled upward movement.

developing positively

Shifts the focus to the positive outcome of the progression.

improving incrementally

Focuses on small, gradual improvements.

growing continuously

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the growth.

trending upward

Suggests a general direction of increase over time.

FAQs

What does "progressing upwards" mean?

The phrase "progressing upwards" means advancing or improving in a direction that is going higher or increasing in level, amount, or status.

Is "progressing upwards" redundant?

While "progressing" can imply movement forward or improvement, adding "upwards" specifies the direction. Whether it's redundant depends on context; often, it adds clarity, but sometimes it's unnecessary. Consider alternatives like "advancing upward" or simply "progressing".

When should I use "progressing upwards" instead of just "progressing"?

Use "progressing upwards" when you want to emphasize the upward direction or hierarchical improvement, to avoid any ambiguity. For instance, "His career was progressing upwards rapidly" clearly indicates career advancement.

What are some alternatives to "progressing upwards"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use phrases like "moving upward", "climbing steadily", or "rising progressively" to convey a similar meaning.