significant progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a marked or important improvement in a situation. For example: "After months of hard work, the team has made significant progress in developing a vaccine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're making significant progress.

The New York Times

They made significant progress".

The New York Times - Tech

Did we make significant progress?

The New York Times

"I think there's significant progress.

The New York Times

But they're making significant progress.

The New York Times

Still, no significant progress was reported.

The New York Times

Negotiations have failed to achieve significant progress.

The New York Times

American households have made significant progress deleveraging.

The Economist

I'm happy to report significant progress.

The New York Times

We can see them make significant progress".

The New York Times

There's been significant progress on treatment".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant progress", ensure the context clearly defines what area the progress is being made in. For example, "significant progress in cancer research" is more informative than simply "significant progress".

Common error

Avoid using "significant progress" when the advancement is minimal or not clearly evident. Overstating progress can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant progress" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or following a preposition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it signifies a notable degree of advancement or improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant progress" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a notable degree of advancement or improvement. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread use across various contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, indicating a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies where the progress has been made, and avoid overstating the degree of advancement. Alternatives like "substantial advancement" or "marked improvement" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial advancement

Focuses on the degree of forward movement made.

marked improvement

Emphasizes the clear and noticeable betterment of a situation.

considerable headway

Highlights the forward movement despite potential obstacles.

notable achievement

Shifts the focus to a specific accomplishment that is worthy of attention.

major breakthrough

Implies a sudden and significant advancement, often in a scientific or technological context.

meaningful development

Suggests that the progress has important implications or consequences.

palpable gains

Indicates that the improvements are easily perceived or felt.

real momentum

Emphasizes the increasing speed and force of the progress.

visible stride

Highlights a clear and observable step forward.

genuine uplift

Focuses on the positive impact or elevation resulting from the progress.

FAQs

How can I use "significant progress" in a sentence?

You can use "significant progress" to describe advancements in various fields. For instance, "The company has made "significant progress" in reducing carbon emissions this year".

What's a good alternative to saying "significant progress"?

Alternatives include "substantial advancement", "marked improvement", or "considerable headway", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "significant progress was made" or "significant progress has been made"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Significant progress was made" implies the progress is completed, while "Significant progress has been made" suggests the progress is ongoing.

What's the difference between "significant progress" and "major breakthrough"?

"Significant progress" indicates a steady improvement, while "major breakthrough" suggests a sudden, important discovery or advancement.