Modern vs We're a progressive school system

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Modern

Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective

We're a progressive school system

Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Modern
 ModernWe're a progressive school system
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɒdn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɑːdərn/"]/🇬🇧 //wɜːr ə prəˈɡresɪv skuːl ˈsɪstəm//🇺🇸 //wɪr ə prəˈɡrɛsɪv skul ˈsɪstəm//
Meaningrelated to the present time or recent timesWe are a school system that supports new ideas and changes.
ExampleThe modern architecture in the city is truly fascinating.At our school, we're a progressive school system that values creativity.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR levelA1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsmodern art, modern technology, modern life, modern design, modern architectureschool system, progressive education, innovative practices, educational reform
Antonymstraditional, old-fashioned, antiquated-
Common mistakesConfused with 'contemporary' — modern refers specifically to recent times., Overused in contexts where 'new' or 'current' would be more accurate., Used incorrectly to describe things that are not time-specific.Confusing 'progressive' with 'progressed' (verb form), Using 'system' instead of 'systems' when referring to multiple, Misplacing the emphasis on 'school' instead of 'progressive'
Usage notesUse 'modern' to describe current trends or styles. Avoid using it for historical contexts, as it implies something contemporary. Suitable in both formal and informal settings.Typically used in educational contexts to express a commitment to innovation and modern practices. Might not be appropriate in traditional settings.

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Modern
We're a progressive school system

Frequently asked questions: Modern vs We're a progressive school system

What's the difference between Modern and We're a progressive school system?

Modern: related to the present time or recent times We're a progressive school system: We are a school system that supports new ideas and changes.

Which is more common: Modern and We're a progressive school system?

Modern is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Modern: The modern architecture in the city is truly fascinating. We're a progressive school system: At our school, we're a progressive school system that values creativity.

Can I use Modern and We're a progressive school system interchangeably?

Not always. Modern and We're a progressive school system 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.

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