show signs of progress

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is getting better or achieving success. For example, "The patient began to show signs of progress after starting physical therapy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

And yesterday, he argued that his plans show signs of progress in spite of the poor results.

The New York Times

Although revenues were slightly down year on year JD Williams continues to show signs of progress with new recruits up 17%.

The Guardian - Business

As crime has risen, Central American leaders have faced enormous pressure to show signs of progress in the battle against drug cartels.

The New York Times

Sunderland have done well to get him and will give him time to succeed; in the first instance, all he needs to do is keep them up, or show signs of progress while going down.

The Guardian - Sport

They did not get James, but they did sign Amar'e Stoudemire, and the Knicks are now only one game behind James's Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference standings and are starting to show signs of progress.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Pelosi said afterwards that it is important to set deadlines and show signs of progress in the next few weeks in order to instill "confidence" in consumers and financial markets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Girls Who Code is already showing signs of progress.

The New York Times

The talks had recently shown signs of progress.

The New York Times

Tesco's most recent results showed signs of progress.

The Guardian - Business

Lately, at least three have shown signs of progress.

The Guardian

But even they are showing signs of progress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show signs of progress", be specific about the area in which progress is being made to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "show signs of progress" without specifying the context. For example, instead of saying 'The project is showing signs of progress', specify 'The project is showing signs of progress in meeting its initial deadlines'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show signs of progress" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something or someone is beginning to improve or advance. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts, supporting this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show signs of progress" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate improvement or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While categorized as "Uncommon" in terms of frequency, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. The phrase serves to inform and assure, conveying positive developments in a neutral tone. When using it, specificity is key to providing clear and meaningful information about the area in which progress is being made. Alternatives include "demonstrate advancement" and "exhibit improvement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate advancement

Focuses on the act of demonstrating or proving that progress is being made.

exhibit improvement

Highlights the manifestation of better conditions or a higher quality.

reveal positive trends

Emphasizes the direction of change and its beneficial nature.

indicate forward movement

Stresses the direction of progress, suggesting a move away from a previous state.

signal positive development

Highlights that something is evolving beneficially, giving a signal of progress.

give indications of growth

Focuses on the expansion or maturing aspect of progress.

present evidence of headway

Highlights the presentation of proof that forward movement is occurring.

offer glimpses of betterment

Implies that improvements are subtly becoming visible.

suggest upward trajectory

Focuses on progress as a continuous incline or positive trend.

reflect positive change

Emphasizes that observed changes point towards a desirable outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "show signs of progress" in a sentence?

You can use "show signs of progress" to indicate improvement or advancement in a specific area. For example, "The patient began to "show signs of progress" after starting physical therapy".

What are some alternatives to saying "show signs of progress"?

Alternatives include "demonstrate advancement", "exhibit improvement", or "reveal positive trends" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "show signs of progress" or "showed signs of progress"?

The choice between "show signs of progress" and "showed signs of progress" depends on the tense you want to convey. Use "show" for present or general statements and "showed" for past events.

What's the difference between "show signs of progress" and "make progress"?

"Show signs of progress" indicates that there is evidence suggesting advancement, while "make progress" implies active movement forward. Someone might "make progress" without necessarily "showing signs of progress" yet.