that was progressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was progressive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea, action, or movement that is forward-thinking or innovative, often in a social or political context. Example: "The policy changes implemented last year were a significant step forward; that was progressive for our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The plaudits were vindicated following a collection that was progressive and technically astute.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So they decided to go next door to Iowa, a state that was progressive enough to allow interracial marriage.

The New York Times

At a stroke, Terre'Blanche represented all that was despicable about the old apartheid regime and, at the same time, all that was progressive and hopeful about the new.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Friday, a taskforce established by independent thinktank the Big Innovation Centre and the Bank of England published a paper that was progressive in spirit and contained elements that chimed with May's agenda, such as the need to make executive pay simpler and linking it to long-term performance.

The Guardian - Business

"It wasn't long ago that the IRS inappropriately targeted the NAACP, Greenpeace and a California church that was progressive, called the All-Saints Church in Pasadena.

Huffington Post

I came from a very progressive home where my Mother had grown up in an environment that was progressive for women and was a first in many fields including being one of the first women in finance in the US so I wasn't raised to think about gender issues; its just wasn't a part of my upbringing nor in my DNA.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It's a condition, in his case, that's progressive," Williams said today.

The New York Times - Sports

Naismith even had some ideas about his own game that were progressive.

The New York Times - Sports

They have found schools that are progressive and a complicated political scene.

The New York Times

More important is for the companies that are progressive to showcase what they are doing and hopefully draw in those in the centre.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, we educators may perpetuate such misunderstandings, for example, if we describe only instances of evolution and selection that are progressive.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was progressive" to positively describe actions, policies, or ideas that challenge conventional norms and aim for improvement or reform.

Common error

Avoid using "that was progressive" without a clear understanding of the historical context. What seems progressive today may have unintended consequences or be viewed differently in the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was progressive" functions as a commentary or evaluation, typically expressing approval or recognition of an action, idea, or policy's forward-thinking nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. Examples show it describing collections, states, or environments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was progressive" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to commend actions or ideas for being forward-thinking and innovative. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, often to describe policies or initiatives. While the phrase can carry political undertones, it is generally used in a neutral or positive manner to acknowledge advancement and improvement. Alternatives include phrases like "that was forward-thinking" or "that was innovative".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was forward-thinking

Emphasizes the anticipation of future needs and developments.

that was innovative

Highlights the novelty and originality of the approach or idea.

that was progressive for its time

Specifically points out that something was ahead of the curve at that moment in history.

that was a step in the right direction

Focuses on progress towards a positive outcome or goal.

that was ahead of its time

Indicates that the idea or action was groundbreaking for its era.

that was groundbreaking

Stresses the revolutionary nature and impact of the action.

that was cutting-edge

Implies the use of the latest technology or techniques.

that was pioneering

Highlights the role of the action in opening up new possibilities.

that was transformative

Emphasizes the significant and lasting impact of the change.

that was state-of-the-art

Highlights the cutting-edge and advanced nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "that was progressive" in a sentence?

You can use "that was progressive" to describe something innovative, forward-thinking, or ahead of its time. For example, "Implementing renewable energy sources "that was progressive" for the city."

What's a more formal alternative to "that was progressive"?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases like "that was innovative" or "that was forward-thinking".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that was progressive"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the positive, forward-looking nature of a decision, action, or idea, especially in social or political contexts.

What's the difference between saying "that was progressive" and "that is progressive"?

Using "that was progressive" implies the action or idea occurred in the past. "That is progressive" suggests it's happening now or is an ongoing attribute.