upward trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

"upward trajectory" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is increasing in progress or success over time. For example, "The company has been on an upward trajectory since they launched their new product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"English wines really are on an upward trajectory.

The Guardian - Business

He looks for the upward trajectory that defines a curveball.

The New York Times - Sports

And they finish the championship on the steepest upward trajectory.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's nice to see an upward trajectory," Mr. Ketchum said.

The New York Times

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index continued along its upward trajectory.

The Economist

I believe we are on an upward trajectory".

Independent

"But there are some signs that we are back on an upward trajectory".

The Guardian

We've tried to block the enduringly upward trajectory of Tim Nice-BuTimim.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, household incomes had already been on an upward trajectory since 1991.

The Guardian

With energy costs on an upward trajectory and ever tightening carbon budgets, urgent action is needed.

The Guardian - Business

Renovation was indeed needed, but few expected such a steep upward trajectory so quickly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upward trajectory" to describe sustained improvement or progress in a specific area, such as business growth, career advancement, or personal development. This implies a continued positive trend rather than a temporary spike.

Common error

Avoid using "upward trajectory" to describe situations with only short-term improvements or volatile fluctuations. It suggests a consistent and sustained positive direction, not just a brief peak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upward trajectory" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a path or direction of increasing progress. For instance, "The company is on an upward trajectory."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upward trajectory" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that signifies sustained positive growth or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its aptness for describing increasing success over time. It's particularly frequent in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, use "upward trajectory" to convey consistent improvement, and avoid it for situations with only short-term gains. Alternatives include "positive trend" and "growth path". Remember, "upward trajectory" is generally neutral to professional in register and as Ludwig's examples suggest it effectively communicates optimism about future prospects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positive trend

Focuses on the general direction of movement, emphasizing the overall positive nature of the change.

growth path

Highlights the route or course of expansion and development.

rising trend

Similar to positive trend but emphasizes the act of increasing or ascending.

positive climb

Emphasizes the effort and challenge involved in achieving upward progress.

improvement curve

Highlights the rate and extent of enhancement or betterment.

advancing movement

Focuses on the dynamic nature of progress and forward motion.

progressive development

Highlights the gradual and continuous nature of positive evolution.

increasing success

Focuses specifically on the gain or attainment of favorable outcomes.

upswing

A more concise term for a positive turn or improvement, often used in economic contexts.

ascent

Emphasizes the act of rising or climbing to a higher position or level.

FAQs

How to use "upward trajectory" in a sentence?

You can use "upward trajectory" to describe consistent positive growth or development. For example: "The company's profits have been on an upward trajectory since the new CEO took over."

What can I say instead of "upward trajectory"?

You can use alternatives like "positive trend", "growth path", or "rising trend" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "upward trajectory" or "upwards trajectory"?

"Upward trajectory" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Upwards trajectory" is less frequent and may sound awkward to some native English speakers.

What's the difference between "upward trajectory" and "positive trend"?

"Upward trajectory" implies a consistent and sustained positive movement, while "positive trend" is a more general term that can describe shorter-term or less consistent improvements.