to move things forward

USAGE SUMMARY

"to move things forward" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something has stalled or become stuck, and needs to be progressed in order to make progress. For example, "I think we need to move things forward if we're going to make progress on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anything to move things forward.

The New York Times

"It helps to move things forward.

The New York Times - Tech

"That's what's really going to move things forward," he added.

The Guardian

"To be avant-garde is to move things forward.

The New York Times

"We have a plan to move things forward.

The Guardian

She wasn't able to focus, to move things forward, or to control situations.

The New Yorker

To move things forward, Mr. Obama will have to do a lot more.

The New York Times

To move things forward, Mrs. Samuels persuaded Mrs. Wiley to accept a little help.

The New York Times

"They don't seem to have the political will to move things forward".

The New York Times

In a country where nothing ever changes he seems to move things forward.

The Economist

They must make a verdict when they believe they have achieved enough to move things forward.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to move things forward" when you want to emphasize the need for progress after a period of stagnation or delay.

Common error

Avoid using "to move things forward" in very casual settings; simpler phrases like "to help out" or "to get going" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to move things forward" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose. It indicates the reason or objective behind an action, aiming to facilitate advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to move things forward" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the intent to facilitate progress, especially after stagnation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. It is most frequently found in news and media and formal business contexts. When using it, consider the level of formality required and ensure it fits the tone. Be mindful of overuse in casual settings. Alternative phrases like "to advance matters" or "to make progress" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to advance matters

Focuses on making progress in a formal or official situation.

to propel progress

Implies a strong force driving the progress.

to facilitate advancement

Highlights making the process of advancing easier.

to expedite the process

Emphasizes speeding up the process.

to stimulate development

Suggests encouraging growth or evolution.

to foster improvement

Implies nurturing positive changes.

to accelerate momentum

Focuses on increasing the speed of ongoing progress.

to drive innovation

Highlights the encouragement of new ideas and methods.

to boost performance

Emphasizes improving effectiveness or efficiency.

to push things along

An informal way of saying to make progress.

FAQs

How can I use "to move things forward" in a sentence?

You can use "to move things forward" in a sentence to indicate the need for progress, such as: "We need a new strategy "to move things forward" on this project."

What can I say instead of "to move things forward"?

You can use alternatives like "to make progress", "to advance", or "to push ahead" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to move things forward"?

It is appropriate to use "to move things forward" when discussing strategies, plans, or actions aimed at progressing beyond a current state, particularly when there may have been a lack of advancement.

What's the difference between "to move things forward" and "to make progress"?

"To move things forward" often implies a specific action or initiative to overcome obstacles and advance, whereas "to make progress" is a more general term for any advancement, regardless of the effort involved.