slight progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slight progress' is both correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to describe a small amount of improvement or success. For example, "Although the project has only made slight progress, we are encouraged by the results so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Slight progress had been made toward a compromise, he added.

The New York Times

PERIODS of slight progress punctuated by nerve-shredding crises.

The Economist

Although doctors are trained to be objective, they can react as emotionally as patients on learning about slight progress.

The New York Times - Health

"He's making slight progress, but we'll see how much progress he makes toward the end of the week," Bowles said.

The New York Times - Sports

By saving time and clarifying issues, making even slight progress in articulating ideas in the echelons below top management could amplify the decisiveness of an organization.

Harvard Business Review

But for a short while it looked as if the administration's envoy, General Zinni, had begun to make slight progress, after two weeks of frustration.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The next day review these jottings and note any progress ( even the slightest progress...is progress).

WikiHow

OT I don't even remember mine! (Laughs) SHO Erm, so at the moment he's got moderate erm memory impairment... but we could say it is slight affecting progress and slight not affecting progress.

BMC Health Services Research

Pakistan has seen some slight political progress since the military dictatorship ended in 2008.

The New York Times

The report, which represents employee data as of August 2015, shows slight diversity progress, with the hiring of 1,475 African-Americans, 1,633 Hispanics and 1,662 Asians over a 13-month period.

TechCrunch

The report, which represented employee data as of August 2015, showed slight diversity progress, with the hiring of 1,475 African-Americans, 1,633 Hispanics and 1,662 Asians over a 13-month period.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "slight progress" with words that temper expectations, such as "despite challenges" or "preliminary findings", to provide a balanced assessment.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "slight progress". Overstating minimal improvements can undermine credibility and mislead the audience regarding the true extent of the advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight progress" functions as a noun phrase where "slight" modifies the noun "progress". According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English, denoting a small degree of advancement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote minimal advancement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for describing situations where there has been some improvement, but not to a significant degree. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify the area in which the progress is observed and avoid overstating its significance. Related phrases like "modest advancement" or "minor improvement" can be used for variety, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest advancement

Replaces "progress" with "advancement" suggesting a similar degree of forward movement while swapping "slight" with "modest".

minor improvement

Substitutes both words to convey the same meaning of a small positive change or advancement.

limited headway

Uses a different noun, "headway", to represent progress, and "limited" instead of "slight", keeping the sense of minimal advancement.

marginal gain

Changes "progress" to "gain" to highlight a small increase or benefit achieved.

small step forward

Emphasizes the incremental nature of the advancement by using "step forward" instead of "progress".

gradual development

Focuses on the slow and steady nature of the advancement.

incremental change

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the positive shift.

faint success

Emphasizes the subtlety and limited scope of the successful outcome.

restricted advancement

Emphasizes the constrained nature of the forward movement.

barely perceptible progress

Stresses how difficult it is to notice the forward movement or advancement.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight progress" to describe a small amount of improvement. For example, "The patient has shown "slight progress" in their recovery" or "Despite the challenges, the project is making "slight progress"".

What are some alternatives to "slight progress"?

Alternatives to "slight progress" include "modest advancement", "minor improvement", or "limited headway". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "slight progress" in formal writing?

Yes, "slight progress" is suitable for formal writing. It's a neutral and objective way to describe minimal advancement without exaggeration. It's often found in news reports, scientific papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "slight progress" and "significant progress"?

"Slight progress" indicates a small amount of improvement, while "significant progress" implies a large or noteworthy amount of advancement. The key difference lies in the degree of improvement being described. It is key to evaluate which one is more appropriate in your writing.