progressed
progressed — verb
- progressedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- progresseds3rd person singular
- progresseding-ing form
- progressededpast simple
1. to get better at an activity or in a particular area of knowledge, often by movi
to get better at an activity or in a particular area of knowledge, often by moving from a lower to a higher level of ability over time — for example, improving your Spanish from basic phrases to fluent conversation.
After three months of lessons, Lien's Chinese progressed enough to hold a simple conversation.
progress + enough + to-infinitive showing sufficient improvement
Jiwoo's guitar playing progressed quickly once she started practising every day.
progress + adverb of speed (quickly)
The student's reading skills progressed from basic words to short stories within a year.
Camila started French later than her classmates but progressed faster through daily practice.
Tariro's swimming progressed to a competitive level after six months of coaching.
- regress
to return to a worse or less developed state
文法句型
progress + in [skill/area]
progress + from [level] + to [level]
用法筆記
Intransitive only — you cannot progress something in this sense. The subject is typically a person's skill, ability, or level of knowledge.
常見錯誤
2. to happen or develop steadily over a period of time, used especially for events,
to happen or develop steadily over a period of time, used especially for events, situations, or processes that unfold step by step — for example, a war that involves more countries as months pass, or a conversation that moves from one topic to another.
As the evening progressed, the music grew louder and more people joined the dance floor.
as + [time period] + progressed describing gradual change
The disease progressed slowly over several years before any clear symptoms appeared.
Their friendship progressed from casual chats at work to weekend outings together.
Meera's pregnancy progressed without any complications until the final month.
As the meeting progressed, Christopher realised that nobody supported the original plan.
- stall
to stop making progress or developing further
文法句型
as + [time period/event] + progressed
progress from [topic] + to [topic]
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'as' to introduce the background time-frame: 'As the war progressed...', 'As the conversation progressed...'. The subject is always an event, situation, or process — never a person deliberately controlling the pace.
常見錯誤
3. to intentionally help an activity, project, or discussion reach an improved or m
to intentionally help an activity, project, or discussion reach an improved or more successful level — for example, completing a course to advance your career, or taking steps to move a business deal forward.
The new manager helped progress several important projects during her first year.
transitive use: progress + [project/initiative]
Christopher hoped the training course would progress his career to a senior position.
progress + [career] showing professional development
The government pledged to progress peace talks between the two neighbouring regions.
Ishaan used the research grant to progress his study of renewable energy sources.
The school board wants to progress the building plans before the winter weather arrives.
文法句型
progress + [noun phrase]
progress + [project/career/discussion]
用法筆記
This is the only transitive sense of the verb. The object is typically abstract: a project, career, discussion, plan, or negotiation. It has a somewhat formal tone and is more common in British English than American English.
常見錯誤
4. to move forward in physical space, especially when traveling along a path, throu
to move forward in physical space, especially when traveling along a path, through an area, or past a certain point — for example, hikers moving up a valley or soldiers advancing through a landscape.
The hikers progressed slowly up the rocky path toward the mountain shelter.
progress + spatial adverb (up/through/across)
As the boat progressed across the lake, the far shore gradually came into view.
Eitan progressed carefully through the narrow cave, watching for loose rocks above.
The soldiers were ordered not to progress beyond the river crossing under any circumstances.
Jack progressed along the forest trail until he reached the old stone bridge.
文法句型
progress through/across/along + [place]
progress beyond + [point]
用法筆記
This physical movement sense is relatively rare in everyday English — speakers more often use 'move forward', 'advance', or 'proceed'. It appears most in written narratives, travel writing, and formal reports about expeditions or journeys.
progressed — noun
1. the process of moving forward or improving steadily toward a better state or a s
the process of moving forward or improving steadily toward a better state or a specific goal, used in contexts ranging from personal skill development and medical recovery to social change and technological advancement.
The doctor was pleased with the patient's progress after the knee surgery.
collocation: 'make progress' (most common verb pair)
Technological progress has changed the way families communicate across the world.
Nellie made steady progress on her novel, writing a few pages every evening.
The charity's work showed clear progress in reducing poverty among local families.
Progress in maths earned Yara a place in the advanced class and impressed her teacher.
- advancement
more formal; often used in academic or professional contexts
- development
broader; can be neutral or positive, not necessarily goal-directed
- headway
emphasises forward movement especially against difficulties; used in 'make headway'
- regression
a return to a less advanced state
文法句型
make progress
progress in/toward [goal]
progress of [project/illness/technology]
用法筆記
Used uncountably — you cannot say 'a progress' or 'many progresses'. Common verb partners: 'make', 'show', 'achieve', 'monitor', 'track'. Common prepositions: 'in', 'on', 'toward', 'of'.
常見錯誤
2. a state or condition in which something is currently happening, being done, or b
a state or condition in which something is currently happening, being done, or being worked on and has not yet finished — used especially in signs, announcements, and reports about ongoing activities.
Repair work is still in progress on the highway bridge near the town centre.
fixed phrase: 'be in progress'
The police asked people to stay away while the investigation was in progress.
Construction of the new school building is in progress and should finish before winter.
A fire drill is in progress, so please follow the signs to the nearest exit.
The final round of interviews is in progress this week for the teaching position.
- underway
similar in meaning but used more for events or journeys that have started
- ongoing
emphasises that something continues over time; can be used before a noun
- in the works
informal; suggests something is being planned or prepared
文法句型
be in progress
用法筆記
This sense only appears in the fixed phrase 'in progress', which functions like an adjective describing an ongoing activity. It is commonly seen in public notices ('Work in Progress'), status updates, and formal announcements. Not used with 'make' or other verbs that combine with sense 1.