- Have you ever wondered why saying “I did a lot of progress” sounds wrong to a native speaker?
- Do you struggle to choose the right adjective to describe how a project is moving forward?
- Are you confused about when “progress” acts as a noun versus when it acts as a verb?
Mastering progress collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in “word partnerships” called collocations. Using the correct combinations not only makes you sound more natural but also reduces the cognitive load on your listener, allowing your ideas to flow more effectively in professional and academic settings.
Essential Collocations using PROGRESS as a Noun
In its noun form, “progress” is almost always uncountable. This means we do not say “a progress” or “progresses.” It refers to the general movement toward a goal or a better state.
Common Verbs Used with the Noun “Progress”
These verbs describe the act of creating, tracking, or stopping advancement.
- Make progress: The most common collocation.
Example: “We are finally making progress on the new software update.” - Monitor/Track progress: To watch how something is developing.
Example: “The teacher uses weekly quizzes to monitor the students’ progress.” - Hinder/Impede progress: To slow down or stop advancement.
Example: “The heavy rain hindered the progress of the construction crew.” - Report progress: To give an official update.
Example: “The manager asked me to report our progress at the Monday meeting.”
Adjectives to Describe Progress
Use these to provide specific detail about how quickly or effectively things are moving.
- Steady progress: Consistent and reliable movement.
Example: “He is making steady progress in his physical therapy.” - Significant/Substantial progress: A large or important amount of advancement.
Example: “The scientists have made significant progress in finding a cure.” - Rapid progress: Very fast advancement.
Example: “The AI industry is showing rapid progress this year.” - Slow/Painful progress: Difficult or sluggish movement.
Example: “Negotiations were difficult, and we only made painful progress.”
Common Collocations with PROGRESS as a Verb
As a verb, the stress shifts to the second syllable (pro-GRESS). It means to move forward or to develop over time. It is often followed by prepositions.
Prepositional Collocations with the Verb
- Progress to: Moving from a lower level to a higher level.
Example: “After finishing the beginner course, you will progress to the intermediate level.” - Progress through: Moving through stages of a process.
Example: “The bill is currently progressing through Parliament.” - Progress with: Advancing on a specific task.
Example: “How are you progressing with your thesis?”
Adverbs that Modify the Verb
- Progress smoothly: To happen without problems.
Example: “The transition to the new system is progressing smoothly.” - Progress well: To advance in a satisfactory way.
Example: “The doctors say the patient is progressing well after surgery.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Make progress | Verb + Noun | To advance or improve |
| Steady progress | Adjective + Noun | Continuous, reliable improvement |
| Work in progress | Noun Phrase | Something unfinished but being worked on |
| Progress smoothly | Verb + Adverb | To advance without issues |
| Hinder progress | Verb + Noun | To get in the way of advancement |
| Significant progress | Adjective + Noun | Important or large improvement |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Do progress / Do a progress | Make progress |
| I have made many progresses. | I have made a lot of progress. (Uncountable) |
| The progress is fastly. | Progress is rapid. or The project is progressing fast. |
| A work of progress. | A work in progress. |
Expert Tip: Because “progress” is uncountable, avoid using it with “a” or in the plural “es” form when used as a noun. Instead of “I made a good progress,” say “I made good progress.”
“Subject: Project Update – Q3 Alpha Phase
Hi Team, I wanted to let you know that we are making steady progress on the backend migration. Although the server issues last week threatened to hinder our progress, the dev team worked overtime to ensure we are still progressing well. Please note that the documentation is still a work in progress, but we expect to report significant progress by next Friday.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Progress Collocations
Is “progress” countable or uncountable?
In modern English, “progress” is an uncountable noun. This means you should not use it with “a” (e.g., “a progress”) or make it plural (e.g., “progresses”). You should use “some progress,” “much progress,” or “a lot of progress.”
What is the difference between “making progress” and “progressing”?
“Making progress” uses “progress” as a noun and is very common in both speech and writing. “Progressing” is the verb form. They often mean the same thing, but “making progress” is more frequently used in professional contexts (e.g., “We are making progress on the project”).
Can I say “do progress”?
No, “do progress” is a common learner error. The correct verb to use with the noun progress is almost always “make.” For example: “I am making progress with my English studies.”
What does “work in progress” mean?
This is a fixed idiomatic expression used to describe something that is not yet finished but is actively being developed. For example, “My novel is still a work in progress.”
How does the pronunciation change between the noun and verb?
This is called a heteronym. As a noun, the stress is on the first syllable: PRO-gress (/ˈprɒɡrɛs/). As a verb, the stress shifts to the second syllable: pro-GRESS (/prəˈɡrɛs/).
This helps clarify why some of my sentences just didn't sound right to native speakers. It's all about those 'word partnerships.' I'm going to start a collocation journal!
That's a brilliant idea, Amira! Keeping a collocation journal is an incredibly effective way to build your vocabulary and internalize these natural word combinations. The more you actively observe and record them, the more naturally they'll come to you. You're definitely on the path to sounding more natural and fluent!
Is there a difference in formality between 'make progress' and 'track progress'? Or are they both suitable for professional contexts? My boss sometimes says 'keep tabs on progress' which feels less formal.
I used to think that as long as I got my meaning across, it was fine. But the part about 'reducing cognitive load' really hit home. It's not just about me being understood, but making it easy for the listener too. Fantastic insight!
Exactly, Maria! You've grasped one of the core benefits of mastering collocations. Fluent communication isn't just about conveying information, but doing so smoothly and efficiently, allowing your ideas to be absorbed effortlessly. It's a mark of advanced proficiency and respect for your audience. Keep exploring these 'word partnerships'!
Can 'progress' be used as a verb in any of these collocations? The article mentions 'progress' as a verb, but then mostly focuses on the noun form. For example, can I say 'The project is progressing well' instead of 'The project is making good progress'?
That's a very astute observation, Marcel! Yes, 'progress' absolutely functions as a verb, and 'The project is progressing well' is a perfectly natural and correct sentence. In this case, 'progress' (verb) means 'to develop or move forward.' The article started by distinguishing the noun/verb forms but then focused on noun collocations. We'll be sure to delve more into verb-form collocations in a future post to fully round out the topic! Great question!
This article made me realize how much I rely on direct translation from my mother tongue, where 'progress' is usually countable. It's a hard habit to break, but understanding the 'why' makes it easier. Thank you!
I'm always trying to improve my academic writing, and this article perfectly addresses a common mistake. Understanding collocations really elevates my essays from 'correct' to 'natural.' More articles like this, please!
What about adjectives to describe progress? Like 'good progress,' 'significant progress,' 'slow progress,' etc. Are there any common ones you'd recommend focusing on for learners?
Excellent point, Olga! Adjectives are vital for describing the quality or quantity of progress. Some highly common and useful ones include: 'good progress,' 'significant progress,' 'substantial progress,' 'steady progress,' 'rapid progress,' 'slow progress,' and 'little progress.' Practicing these will definitely enhance your descriptive abilities!
Thank you for this! I always struggled with this word. Now I know to say 'make progress' and not 'do progress.' Simple but so important!
The article states 'almost always uncountable.' Are there *any* exceptions or specific contexts where 'progress' *could* be countable, perhaps in a very specialized or archaic usage? Or is it truly a steadfast rule for modern English?
Ingrid, you're delving deep into linguistic intricacies! For all practical purposes in modern English, 'progress' as a noun is uncountable. While very specialized or archaic texts *might* occasionally present an exception, it would be extremely rare and non-standard. Stick to treating it as uncountable for natural and correct English in all contemporary contexts. It's a rule you can rely on!
This is a great resource for explaining the nuance of 'progress' to my students. The examples are clear and concise. I appreciate the focus on reducing cognitive load too – a concept often overlooked in language teaching.