to make progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is improving or getting better. For example, "The company has made progress in raising their sales numbers this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So how to make progress?

The Economist

Somehow, I managed to make progress.

The New Yorker

It becomes urgent to make progress".

The New Yorker

"There's nothing to make progress on.

The New York Times - Sports

Indian is starting to make progress.

The New York Times

It requires military success to make progress".

The Guardian

"We expect to continue to make progress".

The New York Times

It was an opportunity to make progress".

The Guardian

And we have begun to make progress.

The Guardian

"Real innovation is required to make progress today".

The New York Times - Science

In subsequent SATs, Stier continues to make progress.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to make progress", ensure you clearly define what area or aspect is improving to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "to make progress in reducing emissions" rather than simply "to make progress".

Common error

Avoid using "to make progress" without specifying the area of improvement. Saying "We need to make progress" is less effective than saying "We need to make progress in our marketing strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make progress" functions as an infinitive phrase. It typically serves as part of a larger verb phrase, expressing the intention or action of advancing or improving. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to make progress" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates advancement or improvement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, from news and business to personal development. While versatile, it's best practice to specify the area in which progress is being made for clarity. Alternatives such as "to advance" or "to improve" can offer nuanced variations. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, mastering the use of "to make progress" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make headway

Refers to moving forward despite difficulties.

to advance

Focuses on moving forward, often in a general sense.

to improve

Emphasizes the enhancement of quality or condition.

to develop

Suggests a gradual unfolding or expansion.

to move forward

Highlights the direction of advancement.

to gain ground

Implies overcoming obstacles to advance.

to push forward

Emphasizes a determined effort to advance.

to pick up speed

Focuses on accelerating the rate of advancement.

to get ahead

Suggests surpassing others or overcoming obstacles to advance.

to come along

Suggests gradual improvement or development over time.

FAQs

How can I use "to make progress" in a sentence?

You can use "to make progress" to indicate improvement or advancement in a specific area. For example, "The team is working hard "to make progress" on the project" or "The student is striving "to make progress" in mathematics".

What are some alternatives to "to make progress"?

Some alternatives include "to advance", "to improve", "to develop", or "to make headway". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "to make progress" or "to show progress"?

"To make progress" emphasizes the action of improving or advancing, while "to show progress" emphasizes demonstrating that improvement. Use "to make progress" when focusing on the act of advancing, and "to show progress" when the emphasis is on presenting evidence of improvement.

Is it correct to say "to make a progress" instead of "to make progress"?

No, it is not correct. "Progress" is generally used as an uncountable noun, so you should say "to make progress", without the article "a". You might use "a" if you are referring to a specific type of progress, but that is rare. A correct example is: "The company is making a new kind of progress".