If I move on vs Progress
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
If I move on
Top 2,000 (common)
Progress
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Progress
| If I move on | Progress | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪf aɪ muːv ɒn//🇺🇸 //ɪf aɪ muːv ɑːn// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprəʊɡres/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːɡres//ˈprɑːɡrəs/"]/ |
| Meaning | To continue with life after a difficult experience. | moving forward or getting better at something |
| Example | It's time to move on after our breakup. | She made great progress in her studies this semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | move on after, move on from, learn to move on, help someone move on | 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 | - | regression, setback, decline |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'move out' (leaving a place)., Using 'move on' with inanimate subjects., Incorrectly using 'moving on' as a noun. | 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 on' in situations where someone is letting go of a past issue. It can feel informal but is commonly accepted in many contexts. Avoid using in very formal writing. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: If I move on vs Progress
What's the difference between If I move on and Progress?
If I move on: To continue with life after a difficult experience. Progress: moving forward or getting better at something
Which is more common: If I move on and Progress?
Progress is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
If I move on: It's time to move on after our breakup. Progress: She made great progress in her studies this semester.
Can I use If I move on and Progress interchangeably?
Not always. If I move on 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.