is under way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is under way" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is currently going on. For example: "The party is under way!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That effort is under way.

The New Yorker

That auction is under way.

The New York Times

Some change is under way.

The New York Times - Arts

Fund-raising is under way.

The New York Times

The review is under way.

The New York Times

A profound reset is under way.

The New York Times

Plenty of research is under way, though.

The New York Times

An internal investigation is under way.

The Economist

No formal investigation is under way.

The New York Times - Sports

In Pennsylvania, drilling is under way.

The New York Times

Research is under way into cheaper methods.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is under way" to clearly indicate that a process, event, or activity has commenced and is currently in progress. It adds a sense of immediacy and action to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is under way" when describing events that are planned but have not yet started. Ensure the activity is actually in progress to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is under way" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is currently in progress or in operation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is under way" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to indicate that something is currently in progress. As verified by Ludwig AI, its frequent appearance in news and media suggests a neutral to professional register. While "is under way" is widely accepted, consider alternatives like "is in progress" or "is ongoing" for slight variations in emphasis. To ensure clarity, use "is under way" only when the activity has genuinely commenced. With a source quality score of 92 and an expert rating of 4.5, this guide underscores the phrase's reliability and appropriateness for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in progress

Focuses on the act of progressing, highlighting the ongoing nature of the activity but changes the structure.

is ongoing

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the event or activity.

is happening

Indicates that an event is currently taking place, simplifying the original phrase.

is in effect

Suggests that a rule or system is currently active or being implemented, changing the semantic domain.

is being implemented

Highlights the action of putting a plan or project into effect.

is being executed

Emphasizes the active performance of a plan or task.

is unfolding

Implies a gradual revelation or development of events, offering a more descriptive tone.

is in motion

Suggests that a process or activity has started and is moving forward, changing the structure.

is afoot

Indicates that something is about to happen or is currently developing, adding an element of anticipation.

is in operation

Describes something that is functioning or working, shifting the focus to functionality.

FAQs

How can I use "is under way" in a sentence?

Use "is under way" to indicate that something has started and is currently happening. For example, "The construction project "is under way"" means the construction has begun and is in progress.

What are some alternatives to "is under way"?

You can use alternatives such as "is in progress", "is ongoing", or "is happening" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is under way" in formal writing?

Yes, "is under way" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news reports, business updates, and academic papers. It clearly and professionally indicates that something is currently happening.

What's the difference between "is under way" and "will be under way"?

"Is under way" indicates that something is currently happening, while "will be under way" suggests that something will be in progress at a future time. For example, "The conference "is under way"" (happening now), versus "The conference "will be under way" next week" (will happen in the future).