has been in development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in development" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a project, product, or idea has been undergoing a process of creation or improvement over a period of time. Example: "The new software application has been in development for over a year, and we are excited to share it with our users soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

La Havas has been "in development" for a couple of years.

The Guardian - Music

Park Boulevard has been in development for over five years.

The New York Times

The sequel has been in development since March 2012, though.

The Guardian - Tech

The game has been in development for over three years.

The Guardian - Tech

The musical has been in development for several years.

Independent

The feature has been in development for six months with a small test group.

The Guardian - Tech

Dragon Age: Origins has been in development for five years, but the action is timeless.

The Guardian - Tech

Mad Max: Fury Road has been in development for a quarter of a century.

The Guardian - Film

The Osney hydro plant has been in development for over a decade.

The Guardian

Mr. Abrams said the company has been in development since last summer.

The New York Times

"The Manchurian Candidate" has been in development for more than a decade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been in development", specify the duration to provide context and a sense of progress (e.g., "The software has been in development for over two years").

Common error

Avoid using "has been in development" if the project is merely in the planning stage. Ensure actual development has commenced to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in development" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a particular subject (project, feature, product, etc.) is currently undergoing a process of creation, improvement, or refinement. This is supported by Ludwig AI and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been in development" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is currently in the process of being created or improved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, specify the duration of the development to provide context and credibility. While "has been in development" is a useful indicator of current status, always ensure that the project is not just in the planning phase and actual development has begun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been undergoing development

Highlights the process of development, adding emphasis to its ongoing nature.

has been under construction

Emphasizes the building or creation aspect, similar to development but more literal.

has been in the works

Informal way of saying something is being planned or prepared.

has been progressing

Focuses on the advancement and forward movement of the project.

has been advancing

Similar to progressing, but emphasizes the improvement in quality or complexity.

has been evolving

Highlights the gradual change and refinement over time.

has been maturing

Implies a growing and refining process, often used for long-term projects.

has been formulated

Focuses on the initial creation or planning phase of the project.

has been in gestation

Suggests a period of incubation and unseen development.

has been cultivated

Implies careful and deliberate nurturing, often used for ideas or relationships.

FAQs

How can I use "has been in development" in a sentence?

You can use "has been in development" to indicate that a project, product, or feature is currently being created or improved over time. For example, "The new mobile app "has been in development" since last year".

What's a more formal alternative to "has been in development"?

A more formal alternative could be "has been under development", which maintains a similar meaning but is slightly more elevated in tone.

What are some informal ways to say "has been in development"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "has been in the works" or "has been brewing", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "has been in development" or "is in development"?

The choice depends on the context. "Has been in development" implies a process that started in the past and continues to the present, whereas "is in development" simply states that the process is currently ongoing.