a work in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a work in progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is still being developed or perfected. For example: "This project is still a work in progress, but we are making progress every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He's a work in progress.

BBC

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

Egypt is still a work in progress.

The New York Times

"But it's a work in progress.

The New York Times - Sports

His Madrid was a work in progress.

The New York Times - Sports

Consider dessert a work in progress.

The New York Times - Food

The menu is a work in progress.

The New York Times

It is all a work in progress.

The New York Times - Sports

PreCheck is a work in progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, provide context about what aspects are still being developed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a work in progress" as a vague excuse for shortcomings. Always provide specific information about what aspects are still under development and what progress is being made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a work in progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object, describing something that is currently under development or not yet complete. Ludwig confirms this frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a work in progress" is a commonly used noun phrase that indicates something is currently under development, not yet complete, and subject to further changes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's used across various contexts, including news, sports, and general conversations, conveying the idea that something is in an intermediate state of completion. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide specific details about what aspects are still being developed to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "under development" or "being refined" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in progress

Shorter version and more generic.

under development

Focuses on the active process of building or creating something.

still in development

Emphasizes that the development phase is ongoing.

incomplete

Highlights the lack of completion.

unfinished

Similar to incomplete, stressing the lack of finalization.

in the making

Suggests something is actively being created.

under construction

Implies a physical process of building or assembling.

evolving

Highlights the dynamic nature and ongoing changes.

being refined

Focuses on the process of improving and perfecting.

not yet finalized

Emphasizes that the final version is not ready.

FAQs

How can I use "a work in progress" in a sentence?

You can use "a work in progress" to describe anything that is not yet finished or perfected. For example, "The new software is "a work in progress", but it's showing great potential".

What are some alternatives to saying "a work in progress"?

Alternatives include "under development", "still in development", or "being refined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "a work in progress"?

Yes, it's acceptable to describe a person as "a work in progress" to suggest they are continuously learning and growing. However, consider the context and relationship to avoid sounding dismissive or condescending.

What's the difference between "a work in progress" and "in progress"?

"A work in progress" is a noun phrase that refers to something that is currently being developed, whereas "in progress" is an adjective phrase indicating that something is happening or being done now. The former emphasizes the state of incompleteness, while the latter focuses on the action of ongoing development.