Work in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Work in progress" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is still being developed or completed. Example: "The project is a work in progress and will be finalized next month." Alternative expressions include "under development" and "in development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Work in progress," he said.

The New York Times

It's work in progress".

The New York Times - Sports

He's a work in progress.

BBC

We are a true work in progress".

The New York Times

It's a serious work in progress.

The New York Times - Sports

The program is a work in progress.

The New York Times

But this remains a work in progress.

The Economist

U.S. is clearly a work in progress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It remains an exciting work-in-progress.

Forbes

Do work-in-progress presentations.

WikiHow

Session 3: Work-in-progress presentations.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to manage expectations when presenting initial results to stakeholders. It signals that you are open to feedback and that the outcome is not set in stone.

Common error

Avoid using hyphens when the phrase is a standalone noun (e.g. "The report is a work in progress"). Only use hyphens when it functions as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g. "A work-in-progress presentation").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Work in progress" typically functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicative nominative. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often follows linking verbs like "is" or "remains" to define the current status of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Work in progress" is a highly versatile and standard English phrase confirmed by Ludwig AI as correct and widely used. It serves as a vital tool for communicating that a project is active and evolving. While it is synonymous with "work in process" in some technical fields, it remains the preferred choice for general, creative and administrative tasks. Remember to reserve hyphens for its use as a compound adjective (e.g. "a work-in-progress meeting") and use it without hyphens as a noun phrase to describe the status of your efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work in process

Specific to manufacturing and accounting terminology

under development

Focuses on the active phase of creation or construction

ongoing project

Highlights the continuous nature of a professional task

in the making

Emphasizes the organic growth or long-term production of something

unfinished business

Implies items left over or personal matters needing resolution

preliminary draft

Specific to writing, planning or document creation

incomplete task

A more literal description of something that is not yet done

nascent stage

Focuses on the very early, beginning steps of development

evolving matter

Suggests a situation that is constantly changing as it develops

pilot phase

Refers specifically to the experimental or testing stage of a project

FAQs

What is the difference between "work in progress" and "work in process"?

While often used interchangeably, "work in process" is most common in manufacturing and accounting to describe goods being transformed, whereas "Work in progress" is the standard term for creative or general projects.

When should I hyphenate "work in progress"?

You should use hyphens when the phrase modifies a noun, as in a "work-in-progress report". Do not hyphenate when it follows a verb, like "The project is a work in progress".

Can I say "ongoing" instead of "work in progress"?

Yes, you can use "ongoing" if you want to emphasize that something is currently happening, though it doesn't always convey the sense of being 'incomplete' as clearly as "Work in progress" does.

Is it "a work in progress" or "work in progress"?

Both are correct. Use "a" when referring to a specific project (e.g. "This document is a work in progress"), or omit the article when describing the general status of a task (e.g. "The system is work in progress").