slow down progress

USAGE SUMMARY

'slow down progress' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to hinder or impede the forward movement or advancement of a process or activity. Example: The lack of funding for education in developing countries will slow down progress towards achieving universal literacy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

These delays matter – they slow down progress and in many cases literally cost lives.

University of California, Berkeley

As a result, they have acted too often in ways that unnecessarily drive up costs and slow down progress on environmental issues.

Harvard Business Review

And yet, most would argue that we cannot and should not slow down "progress": that any attempt to stymy is is embarrassingly Luddite.

The Guardian

One year later and it is on the verge of a new civil war that could slow down progress in a country already considered by the UNDP to be the third poorest in the world.

The Guardian

Many of these companies are also innovating with new technology and financing models to bring down the cost of solar, so hurting them could slow down progress toward solar power that's cheap enough to compete without subsidies.

MIT Technology Review

This would not only leave Europe without coherent accounting standards but would also slow down progress towards global rules, on which the IASB and its American counterpart have been toiling for years.Not all European banks, however, are at odds with the IASB's derivatives rules.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It is suspected that the negligence of these important parameters has slowed down progress and prevented major breakthroughs in the field.

International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology

"The old pamphlet that said 'no evidence of any long-term effects,' it slowed down progress — it helped create a latency environment when the evidence showed great urgency for change," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Pulling out of R.G.G.I. slowed down progress on lowering emissions and has cost New Jerseyans millions of dollars that could have been used to increase energy efficiency and improve air quality in our communities," Mr. Murphy said.

The New York Times

Stop slowing down progress and allow individuality to take flight.

Forbes

This slows down progress, while creating inefficiencies along the way.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing obstacles to achieving goals, use "slow down progress" to illustrate factors that cause delay or impede advancement.

Common error

Avoid using vague pronouns (it, this, that) before the phrase. Always specify what exactly is slowing down progress for clarity. For example, instead of "It slows down progress", say "Bureaucracy slows down progress."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slow down progress" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of hindering or delaying forward movement or advancement. This is evident in examples found by Ludwig, where it's used to describe factors impeding various processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slow down progress" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of hindering or delaying advancement, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is found frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting its broad applicability. The examples highlight its use in analyzing and criticizing factors that impede development across various domains. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, and related terms include "hinder advancement", "impede development", and "delay advancement". While versatile, Ludwig recommends specifying the subject acting to "slow down progress" to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinder advancement

Focuses on the obstruction of advancement, without necessarily implying a reduction in speed.

impede development

Similar to hindering advancement, but specifically related to the process of development.

delay advancement

Highlights the postponement of advancement rather than a complete stop or slowdown.

obstruct momentum

Emphasizes the blockage of ongoing momentum or forward drive.

stall momentum

Implies a sudden stop of the existing momentum.

retard development

Focuses on delaying the development process, suggesting a more significant impact.

hamper growth

Specifically addresses impediments to growth, often used in an economic or developmental context.

inhibit progress

Emphasizes restraint and suppression of progress.

stifle innovation

Particularly applicable when progress is related to innovation or creativity.

curtail advancement

Implies a reduction or limitation of advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "slow down progress" in a sentence?

You can use "slow down progress" to describe factors that hinder or delay advancement. For example, "The lack of investment in renewable energy will "slow down progress" towards a sustainable future."

What are some alternatives to "slow down progress"?

Some alternatives to "slow down progress" include "hinder advancement", "impede development", or "delay advancement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "slow down progress" or "slow down the progress"?

Both "slow down progress" and "slow down the progress" are grammatically correct. However, "slow down progress" is generally preferred when referring to progress in a general or abstract sense. Using "the" implies a specific instance or type of progress.

What factors typically "slow down progress" in an organization?

Factors that can "slow down progress" in an organization can include poor communication, lack of resources, bureaucratic processes, and resistance to change.