progress
progress — 名詞
1. the process of becoming better at something, or of moving closer to achieving or
進步
能力或完成度逐步提升
the process of becoming better at something, or of moving closer to achieving or finishing it
The research team made remarkable progress in developing a typhoon-resistant strain of rice.
研究團隊在研發抗颱風水稻品種方面取得了顯著的進步。
collocation: make progress in
Nellie measured her progress in learning Mandarin by counting the characters she could read each month.
Nellie 透過每月計算能閱讀的中文字數，來衡量自己學習中文的進步。
The construction crew reported steady progress on the new library and expects to finish in June.
建築團隊回報新圖書館的進展穩定，預計六月完工。
Teachers meet every Friday to discuss each child's academic progress and any learning difficulties.
老師們每週五開會，討論每個學生的學業進度和遇到的學習困難。
- advancement
more formal, often used in careers or technology
- development
focuses on gradual growth and stages of change
- headway
informal, used with 'make' — 'make headway' means the same as 'make progress'
- regression
the opposite — moving backward or becoming worse
- stagnation
a state where no progress happens over time
文法句型
make progress + in/on/with + noun phrase
progress + toward + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually uncountable — you cannot say 'a progress' or 'progresses' in this sense. Use 'make progress' to describe advancement toward a goal.
常見錯誤
2. physical movement from one place or position to another in a forward direction
前進
向前的物理移動
physical movement from one place or position to another in a forward direction
The ship made slow progress through the thick ice fields near the Antarctic coastline.
船隻在靠近南極海岸的厚冰區中緩慢前進。
collocation: make progress (physical movement)
Road repairs slowed the progress of traffic along the main highway south of Taipei.
道路施工減緩了台北南向主要高速公路的車流前進速度。
Adina checked the group's progress against the trail map every hour to avoid wandering off course.
Adina 每小時用地圖檢查團隊的移動進度，以免走偏路線。
As the runner rounded the final bend, she tracked her progress by the noise of the cheering crowd.
跑者轉過最後一個彎道時，根據觀眾的歡呼聲來判斷自己的前進進度。
- retreat
moving backward, away from the intended direction
用法筆記
Like sense 1, this sense is uncountable. When describing a person or vehicle moving through a space, 'progress' emphasizes the forward direction as much as the covering of distance.
常見錯誤
3. currently happening, being done, or being worked on
進行中
正在發生或執行
currently happening, being done, or being worked on
Please do not enter the laboratory while experiments are in progress.
實驗進行中時，請勿進入實驗室。
fixed phrase: be in progress
The renovation of the old train station is still in progress and will take five more months.
舊火車站的翻新工程仍在進行中，還需要五個月才能完工。
Joaquín tried to schedule a meeting, but his manager said the quarterly review was already in progress.
Joaquín 想安排會議，但主管說季度的檢討會議正在進行中。
Construction work on the new hospital wing is in progress, so the east parking area is closed.
新醫院大樓的施工正在進行中，因此東側停車場暫時關閉。
文法句型
be in progress
still in progress
work in progress
用法筆記
This is not a standalone noun sense but a fixed prepositional phrase. 'In progress' always follows a form of 'be' ('is in progress', 'are in progress') or appears in the compound noun 'work in progress'.
常見錯誤
progress — 動詞
1. to become better at something, such as a skill, ability, or area of knowledge
進步；進展
在能力或技巧上逐步提升
to become better at something, such as a skill, ability, or area of knowledge
Naoko progressed from beginner to intermediate level in just three months of studying Mandarin part-time.
Naoko 利用業餘時間學習中文，僅三個月就從初級進步到中級程度。
pattern: progress from X to Y
As the course progressed, Aarav became more confident about speaking in front of an audience.
隨著課程的進展，Aarav 對於在觀眾面前演講變得更加自信。
Hoa progressed quickly through the online programming tutorials and soon started building her own simple apps.
Hoa 快速完成了線上的程式設計教學課程，不久後就開始自己製作簡單的應用程式。
The patient progressed well after the surgery, and the doctors were pleased with her recovery rate.
病人在手術後康復情況良好，醫生對她的恢復速度感到滿意。
- regress
to return to an earlier, less developed state
- deteriorate
to become worse in quality or condition
文法句型
progress + from + noun phrase + to + noun phrase
progress + in/with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Intransitive — no direct object. Common patterns are 'progress from X to Y' (showing stages) and 'progress in/with X' (showing the area of improvement). Also used with 'well', 'slowly', 'quickly' to describe the pace.
常見錯誤
2. to continue or unfold over a period of time, moving through stages or phases
持續進行
隨著時間逐漸推進
to continue or unfold over a period of time, moving through stages or phases
As the evening progressed, the conversation grew more lively and everyone shared stories from their childhood.
隨著晚會的進行，談話變得更加熱烈，每個人都開始分享自己童年的故事。
pattern: as the [time period] progressed
Ramón's doctoral research progressed slowly but steadily through the long winter months of data collection.
Ramón 的博士研究在漫長的冬季資料收集期間緩慢但穩定地進行著。
The storm progressed across the island chain, bringing heavy rain to every village along its path.
暴風雨橫掃過群島，沿途的每個村莊都遭受了豪雨的襲擊。
Nila felt her anxiety lessen as the treatment progressed over several weeks of regular sessions.
Nila 感覺到隨著幾週規律的治療逐步進行，她的焦慮感也逐漸減輕了。
文法句型
progress + (through/along/across + noun phrase)
as time/event + progresses
用法筆記
This sense describes time-based unfolding, not necessarily improvement. The subject is typically an event, period of time, or natural phenomenon. Frequently used with 'as' — 'as the day/week/project progressed'.
常見錯誤
3. to push a project, plan, or field of study forward into a more sophisticated sta
推進；促進
使計畫或領域向前發展
to push a project, plan, or field of study forward into a more sophisticated stage — for example, progressing a bill through parliament or progressing a proposal toward a decision
The new government funding will help progress the development of affordable solar panels for rural communities.
新的政府資金將有助於推進偏鄉社區平價太陽能板的開發工作。
transitive use: progress + [project]
Brooke's supervisor asked her to progress the project so the team could meet the year-end deadline.
Brooke 的主管要求她推進專案，以便團隊能在年底期限前完成。
Scientists hope this breakthrough will progress the field of regenerative medicine by several years of research.
科學家們希望這項突破能將再生醫學領域的研究進程推進好幾年。
The committee worked hard to progress the housing proposal from the planning stage to formal approval.
委員會努力將住宅提案從規劃階段推進到正式核准階段。
- advance
more common in transitive use; 'advance a proposal' sounds very natural
- further
formal verb meaning to help something succeed
- facilitate
focuses on making the process easier or possible
文法句型
progress + noun phrase
用法筆記
This is the only transitive sense of 'progress' as a verb. The subject is usually an organisation, authority, or structured effort. The object is typically an abstract noun — a plan, project, piece of work, or field of study.
常見錯誤
4. to move forward in space, especially slowly or steadily toward a destination
向前移動
朝前方移動或行進
to move forward in space, especially slowly or steadily toward a destination
The soldiers progressed cautiously through the dense jungle, watching the treeline for any sign of danger.
士兵們小心翼翼地穿過茂密的叢林，密切注意樹際線是否有危險跡象。
direction: progress through [terrain]
As the parade progressed down the main street, children ran alongside waving flags and cheering.
遊行隊伍沿著主要街道前進時，孩子們在路旁揮舞旗幟歡呼。
The group of climbers progressed slowly up the mountain trail, stopping often to drink water and rest.
一群登山者沿著山徑緩慢前進，時常停下來喝水休息。
Traffic progressed at a crawl through the flooded streets for hours after the typhoon passed.
颱風過後，車輛在淹水的街道上以龜速前進了數小時。
文法句型
progress + along/down/up/through + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often specifies the direction with a preposition ('through', 'along', 'down', 'up') or the manner with 'cautiously', 'slowly', 'steadily'. Unlike noun sense 2, this verb puts the focus on the action of moving rather than the distance covered.