progressive spirit

USAGE SUMMARY

"progressive spirit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a feeling of enthusiasm for advancing social reform and progress. For example: "The mayor's progressive spirit enabled her to bring many positive changes to the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Carolyn is remembered for her fierce intelligence, her zest and progressive spirit.

The New York Times

Her generous heart, fierce intelligence, progressive spirit, and marvelous meals are already deeply missed.

The New York Times

More than that, you are offered a momentary window into a vibrant, self-confident civilisation that embodies the progressive spirit.

The Guardian

Houses and interiors that look like Mondrian paintings and plywood toy animals for children capture their progressive spirit.

The Guardian - Arts

This one, for all its invocations of the progressive spirit, concerns itself mainly with the battles of the past.

The New York Times

Kerry, who held press conferences announcing each policy victory — a Boston journalist later dubbed him Live Shot Kerry — also captured the progressive spirit of the times.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Within a decade or two, American symphonic culture was so ossified that progressive spirits were calling for change.

The New Yorker

I found a handful of kindred progressive spirits among the list of famous Betas.

Huffington Post

In the 1950's and 60's, the Americana in New York, designed by Morris Lapidus; the Mauna Kea in Hawaii, and the SAS Royal (now the Radisson SAS Royal) in Copenhagen, by the architect Arne Jacobsen, symbolized an optimistic, progressive postwar spirit.

The New York Times - Travel

Tired of hearing fellow lobstermen grouse, Mr. Lane, whose 30 years living in Maine have done nothing to dampen the deeply progressive political spirit he grew up with in his home country of Iceland, called some union organizers in the state, and made a wild suggestion: his ailing industry, despite its entrenched ethos of self-reliance, just might be ripe for their services.

The New York Times

On Friday, a taskforce established by independent thinktank the Big Innovation Centre and the Bank of England published a paper that was progressive in spirit and contained elements that chimed with May's agenda, such as the need to make executive pay simpler and linking it to long-term performance.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "progressive spirit" with concrete examples of actions or initiatives to demonstrate its tangible impact.

Common error

Avoid using "progressive spirit" as a generic term for 'good intentions.' Instead, use it when referring to a clear commitment to social or political progress, supported by specific actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressive spirit" typically functions as a noun phrase, where 'progressive' acts as an adjective modifying 'spirit'. Ludwig examples show it often describes a quality or attribute of an entity (person, city, movement).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "progressive spirit" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a commitment to positive change and advancement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, business, and science contexts. When using "progressive spirit", it's important to link it to specific actions or initiatives to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "progressive mindset", "forward-thinking approach" and "innovative drive". The examples from Ludwig, alongside the writing guidance provided, should help writers to use the phrase effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressive mindset

Focuses more on the internal attitude or way of thinking.

progressive attitude

Emphasizes a specific stance or position on issues.

forward-thinking approach

Highlights the proactive and future-oriented nature.

innovative drive

Stresses the energy and motivation behind innovation.

reformist zeal

Implies a strong passion for change and improvement.

evolutionary spirit

Emphasizes gradual development and progress over time.

modern outlook

Focuses on contemporary perspectives and ideas.

pioneering vision

Highlights originality and groundbreaking ideas.

transformative impulse

Suggests a desire to cause significant and lasting change.

change-oriented perspective

Highlights the focus towards change and action.

FAQs

How can I use "progressive spirit" in a sentence?

You can use "progressive spirit" to describe a person, organization, or movement that actively promotes positive social change. For instance: "The city's "progressive spirit" is reflected in its policies on environmental sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "progressive spirit"?

Some alternatives to "progressive spirit" include "forward-thinking approach", "innovative drive", and "reformist zeal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What distinguishes "progressive spirit" from "progressive mindset"?

"Progressive spirit" emphasizes the outward manifestation of a commitment to progress, while "progressive mindset" focuses more on the internal attitude and beliefs driving that commitment. The "progressive mindset" fuels the progressive spirit.

Is it more appropriate to use "progressive spirit" in formal or informal writing?

"Progressive spirit" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though its use is more common in news articles, academic papers, and public discourse related to social issues. The tone should match the context.