very little progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"very little progress" grammatically correct and is usable in written English.
For example, "Despite our best efforts, we have made very little progress on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very little progress has been made".

The Guardian - Business

"But the fact is, very little progress has been made".

The New York Times

We have had 14 years and very little progress".

The Guardian

There's been very little progress and no votes are planned.

The Washington Post

Very little progress has been made in prevention.

The New York Times

"The feeling is that after 15 years, very little progress has been made," Schuster says.

Independent

"He hasn't saved the economy, and now he's admitting he's made very little progress.

The New York Times

"We have made very little progress on the key issue that confronts us," Mr. Pershing said.

The New York Times

But very little progress has been made since then.What does each side want?

The Economist

Decades later, I've seen very little progress in minority executive employment.

Harvard Business Review

Either way, our models and surveys aren't working, and we're making very little progress.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition when discussing the same topic across multiple sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "very little progress" to imply a lack of effort when external factors might be the primary cause of the slow advancement. Instead, acknowledge potential obstacles and focus on the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very little progress" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause to indicate the extent of advancement or development. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very little progress" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation where minimal advancement has been made. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in register, it is important to consider the context when using this phrase, as it often implies disappointment or concern. For more formal settings, alternatives like "minimal advancement" or "negligible improvement" may be preferred. Avoiding the implication of blame without factual evidence is also crucial for maintaining objectivity in communication. This phrase serves as a concise way to convey the lack of substantial development in numerous scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost no advancement

Directly states that the level of progress is close to zero.

virtually no headway

Similar to 'almost no advancement', but emphasizes the lack of forward motion.

minimal advancement

Emphasizes the small degree of forward movement or improvement.

negligible improvement

Highlights that the improvement is so small it's almost not worth considering.

scant progress

Indicates that the progress is barely sufficient or adequate.

limited headway

Focuses on the restricted forward motion or advance made.

slight development

Suggests a minor degree of unfolding or growth.

meager gains

Indicates that the achievements or benefits are small and unsatisfactory.

inadequate progress

Emphasizes that the level of advancement is not sufficient to meet expectations or needs.

glacial pace

Highlights the extremely slow speed at which progress is occurring.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "very little progress" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can replace "very little progress" with phrases such as "minimal advancement", "negligible improvement", or "limited headway" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternative phrases for "very little progress" that emphasize slow speed?

To highlight the slowness of progress, consider using expressions like "glacial pace" or "slow advancement".

Is it grammatically correct to say "very less progress" instead of "very little progress"?

No, "very less progress" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "very little progress", as "little" is used with uncountable nouns like progress.

How does "limited progress" compare to "very little progress"?

"Limited progress" and "very little progress" are quite similar, but "very little progress" may emphasize the scarcity of the advancement more strongly than "limited progress".