In 15 Seconds
- Moving forward toward a goal or completion.
- Used for work, hobbies, and personal growth.
- Focuses on the process of improvement, not just the end.
Meaning
It means you are moving closer to a goal or finishing a task. It is like climbing a ladder; you haven't reached the top yet, but you are higher than you were before.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the gym with a trainer
I'm finally making progress with my lifting goals.
I am finally making progress with my lifting goals.
In a formal office meeting
The team has made significant progress on the quarterly report.
The team has made significant progress on the quarterly report.
Texting a friend about a messy room
I've been cleaning for hours and I'm barely making progress!
I've been cleaning for hours and I'm barely making progress!
Cultural Background
In the US, 'making progress' is often used in corporate settings to show productivity. Similar to the US, but often used with more understatement. In Japanese business culture, showing 'progress' is vital for maintaining trust. Germans value 'Fortschritt' (progress) highly in engineering and technology.
Uncountable noun
Remember: progress has no plural. Never say 'progresses'.
No 'a'
Never use 'a' or 'an' with progress.
In 15 Seconds
- Moving forward toward a goal or completion.
- Used for work, hobbies, and personal growth.
- Focuses on the process of improvement, not just the end.
What It Means
Make progress is about improvement and movement. It describes the process of getting better at something. It also means getting closer to finishing a project. You use it when things are moving in the right direction. It is not about the final result yet. It is about the journey toward that result. Think of it like a car driving toward a destination. Even if you are stuck in traffic, moving one mile means you made progress.
How To Use It
This is a very flexible phrase. You can use it with many different subjects. You can make progress on a project or in a relationship. You can also make progress with a new language. Usually, we use the preposition on or with. For example, "I am making progress on my book." You can add adjectives to show how fast things are going. Try using steady progress or significant progress. It sounds very natural and proactive.
When To Use It
You can use this phrase almost anywhere. Use it at work during a status meeting. It shows your boss that you aren't just sitting around. Use it with friends when talking about your hobbies. It is great for encouragement too. If a friend is struggling with guitar, tell them they are making progress. It feels positive and motivating. It is perfect for those moments when you feel proud of your hard work.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that are already finished. If the task is done, say "I finished it." Also, avoid using it for things that don't require effort. You don't make progress on eating a sandwich. That sounds a bit too serious! It is also not for negative things. You wouldn't usually say you are making progress on getting a cold. That would be quite a strange way to look at getting sick.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, especially in the US and UK, progress is a big deal. People value constant improvement and "moving forward." There is a cultural obsession with productivity and self-growth. This phrase reflects that mindset. It is often used in performance reviews or school reports. It carries a sense of optimism. Even a little bit of progress is seen as a win. It is the opposite of being "stuck" or "stagnant."
Common Variations
There are a few ways to spice this up. You might hear make headway, which is a bit more formal. Sailors used to use that one! Another common one is get somewhere. If you say "Now we're getting somewhere," it means you finally started making progress. You can also say make strides. This implies you are taking very big steps forward. It sounds very impressive in a business presentation.
Usage Notes
This is a 'safe' phrase. It fits in every register from highly formal to very informal. Just remember it is an uncountable noun—no 'a' before progress!
Uncountable noun
Remember: progress has no plural. Never say 'progresses'.
No 'a'
Never use 'a' or 'an' with progress.
Use adjectives
Add 'steady', 'significant', or 'good' to sound more natural.
Examples
6I'm finally making progress with my lifting goals.
I am finally making progress with my lifting goals.
Shows physical improvement over time.
The team has made significant progress on the quarterly report.
The team has made significant progress on the quarterly report.
Uses 'significant' to sound professional and impressive.
I've been cleaning for hours and I'm barely making progress!
I've been cleaning for hours and I'm barely making progress!
Used ironically to show how difficult a task is.
Your son is making steady progress in his reading skills.
Your son is making steady progress in his reading skills.
Encouraging and positive feedback.
It's a slow process, but she is making progress every day.
It's a slow process, but she is making progress every day.
Focuses on the emotional journey of healing.
Now that we found the screwdriver, we can actually make some progress.
Now that we found the screwdriver, we can actually make some progress.
Casual everyday use.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
We are ________ on the new report.
Progress is uncountable and uses the verb 'make'.
Choose the correct sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
Progress is uncountable and uses 'make'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: How is your study going? B: ________.
The correct collocation is 'making progress'.
Match the situation to the correct usage.
You are working on a project and someone asks for an update.
This is the standard way to provide a status update.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWe are ________ on the new report.
Progress is uncountable and uses the verb 'make'.
Which sentence is correct?
Progress is uncountable and uses 'make'.
A: How is your study going? B: ________.
The correct collocation is 'making progress'.
You are working on a project and someone asks for an update.
This is the standard way to provide a status update.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo. 'Progress' is uncountable. Say 'I made a lot of progress'.
It is neutral. It works in both business and casual settings.
'Make headway' implies progress against resistance or difficulty.
Rarely. It is almost always used for abstract goals.
Use 'on' for tasks and 'in' for skills.
No, always use 'make'.
Use adjectives like 'substantial' or 'incremental'.
Yes, it is perfectly fine for texting.
Not exactly. 'Make progress' means you are on the way to success, not that you have arrived.
Yes, it is a great way to show you are proactive.
Yes, it is perfectly natural.
No, it is a universally positive phrase.
Related Phrases
make headway
synonymTo make progress, often against difficulty.
get somewhere
similarTo make progress.
move the needle
similarTo make a noticeable difference.
take steps
builds onTo take action toward a goal.
