substantial progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe the progress that has been made on a particular task or project. For example: "We have made substantial progress on our research project this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There has been substantial progress".

The New York Times

That represented substantial progress.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've made substantial progress.

The New York Times

More substantial progress may take a generation.

The Economist

No substantial progress has been made.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, they have made substantial progress.

The New York Times

RBS is making substantial progress overall.

The Guardian - Business

Here we review this substantial progress.

Progress in Polymer Science

I'm pleased to say that substantial progress has been made.

The Guardian

First, Greece made further substantial progress on closing its deficits.

The Washington Post

OECD-countries have made substantial progress in applying these strategies.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial progress", quantify the progress if possible with specific metrics or examples to enhance clarity and impact. For instance, instead of just saying "We made substantial progress", specify "We achieved a 30% reduction in costs, demonstrating substantial progress in efficiency".

Common error

Avoid using "substantial progress" when the actual advancements are minimal or unsubstantiated. Ensure there's tangible evidence or data to support the claim, as overstating progress can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial progress" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "progress". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show it describing significant advancements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial progress" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate significant advancement or improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary contexts are in news, science, and business communications. To use the phrase effectively, ensure that you can back up your claim of progress with concrete evidence or data. While alternatives exist, such as "significant advancement" or "considerable improvement", "substantial progress" maintains a balance of formality and clarity, making it suitable for a wide array of professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant advancement

Focuses on the degree of advancement made.

considerable improvement

Highlights the improvement aspect of the progress.

marked development

Emphasizes the developmental aspect and its visibility.

noticeable headway

Indicates clear and observable forward movement.

tangible gains

Stresses the concrete and measurable results achieved.

meaningful strides

Highlights the importance and impact of the advancements.

major breakthrough

Suggests a significant and sudden achievement.

real momentum

Focuses on the increasing speed and force of the progress.

promising outlook

Shifts the focus to the positive future implications of the progress.

positive trend

Highlights the ongoing and favorable direction of change.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial progress" to describe significant advancements in a project, situation, or skill. For example, "The team has made "substantial progress" on the software development, completing key modules ahead of schedule".

What are some alternatives to using "substantial progress"?

Alternatives to "substantial progress" include "significant advancement", "considerable improvement", or "marked development", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "substantial progress" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate significant advancement in various formal contexts, such as reports, business communications, and academic papers.

What is the difference between "substantial progress" and "slight progress"?

"Substantial progress" indicates a significant level of advancement, suggesting notable improvements or achievements. In contrast, "slight progress" suggests minimal or only a small degree of advancement. Use "substantial progress" when the improvements are considerable and impactful.