Cool MateMove vs Progress
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Move
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Progress
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Move | Progress | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/muːv/","/muːvz/","/muːvd/","/ˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/muːv/","/muːvz/","/muːvd/","/ˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprəʊɡres/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːɡres//ˈprɑːɡrəs/"]/ |
| Meaning | To go from one place to another. | moving forward or getting better at something |
| Example | Please move the chair to the other side of the room. | She made great progress in her studies this semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | move house, move forward, move quickly, move on, move in | considerable, dramatic, excellent, achieve, make, chart, continue, slow, stall, report, note, in progress, progress from… to…, progress in, a lack of progress, the march of progress, a rate of progress, considerable, dramatic, excellent, achieve, make, chart, continue, slow, stall, report, note, in progress, progress from… to…, progress in, a lack of progress, the march of progress, a rate of progress |
| Antonyms | stay, remain, settle | regression, setback, decline |
| Common mistakes | Using 'move' without an object, as in 'I need to move.' (Missing what is being moved), Confusing 'move' with 'moved' (past tense) when describing ongoing actions, Using 'movable' incorrectly as a synonym for 'move' when referring to something that can be moved | Confused with 'process'; they are different in meaning., Using 'progressing' incorrectly as an adjective., Mistakenly pluralizing it as 'progresses' in non-specific contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'move' for physical actions, like walking or shifting objects. Not ideal for metaphorical uses in formal contexts. Can be informal when referring to changing residence. | Use in both formal and informal contexts. It's common to talk about progress in learning, work, or personal goals. Avoid using in overly casual settings where simpler terms might be more fitting. |
Frequently asked questions: Move vs Progress
What's the difference between Move and Progress?
Move: To go from one place to another. Progress: moving forward or getting better at something
Are Move and Progress the same CEFR level?
Move: A1, Progress: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Move and Progress interchangeably?
Not always. Move and Progress are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.