in the works

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the works" is an idiomatic phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is often used as a way to refer to something that is being prepared or developed. For example, you might say, "We have a new project in the works that I'm sure you'll be excited about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More are in the works.

The New York Times

(A stage musical is in the works).

The New York Times - Arts

A smoked salt is in the works.

The New York Times - Food

Other collaborations are in the works.

The New York Times

(An Android app is in the works).

The New York Times - Tech

A fourth bore is in the works.

The New York Times

(Support for Japanese is in the works).

The Economist

(An Android version is in the works).

The New York Times - Tech

Now one is in the works.

The Economist

A pedestrian plaza is in the works.

The New York Times

A movie is in the works.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the works" when you want to convey that something is currently being developed or planned but is not yet complete. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "in the works" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal business or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "under development" or "in progress" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the works" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is currently being developed or planned. Ludwig shows it often describes projects, updates, or plans that are underway but not yet completed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the works" is a common adjective phrase used to indicate that something is currently being developed or planned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, serving to inform audiences about ongoing projects or plans. For best practices, use "in the works" to convey ongoing development, but be mindful of the tone in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under development

Focuses on the process of active creation and improvement.

being planned

Emphasizes the initial stage of devising a strategy or course of action.

in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature of the activity.

under construction

Suggests a more physical or structural development.

being prepared

Focuses on readiness and arrangement for a future event or task.

in preparation

Similar to "being prepared" but more formal.

in the pipeline

Implies a sequence of events or projects leading to a final outcome.

on the drawing board

Indicates that the idea is still in the early stages of design and planning.

in the planning stages

Emphasizes that the project is still being conceptualized and organized.

coming soon

Focuses on the anticipation of a future release or completion.

FAQs

How can I use "in the works" in a sentence?

You can use "in the works" to indicate that something is being planned or developed. For example, "A new software update is "under development"", or "They have several projects "being planned"".

What are some alternatives to using "in the works"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "under development", "being planned", or "in progress" as alternatives to "in the works".

Is it appropriate to use "in the works" in formal writing?

Yes, but consider the level of formality required. While acceptable, more formal alternatives like "under development" or "in preparation" might be more suitable.

What does "in the works" exactly mean?

"In the works" means that something is currently being developed, planned, or prepared but is not yet finished or available. It implies that progress is being made toward a future outcome.