it was in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was in progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that was still happening or being done when it was interrupted or stopped. For example: He was in the middle of his presentation when the fire alarm went off; it was in progress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The FT reported over the weekend that it was in progress, although its numbers were off by about £1 billion.

TechCrunch

But Spring, which had been announced so far in advance that most people forgot it was in progress, is a more serious restaurant, its flavors influenced by Provence and California, whose kitchen has achieved an almost fanatical level of execution. .

Los Angeles Times

It was in progress.

The New Yorker

A Justice Department representative would not comment on the scope of the Darien investigation other than to confirm that it was in progress.

The New York Times

He watched the procedure as it was in progress, part of his theory that one should participate fully in as many areas of one's life as possible.

The New York Times - Arts

Officers reportedly tried to stop Kasonkomona's interview as it was in progress but managers at the TV station refused to take him off air.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Some regions will see just part of the transit, because the Sun sets while it is in progress.

The New York Times - Science

He said a friend had told him that many people unofficially join the race while it is in progress, but he was unsure of where to go.

The New York Times - Sports

One thing lacking is a way to share a stream while it's in progress.

TechCrunch

Sounds like a confirmation that it's in progress to me.

TechCrunch

Wolfe declined comment on the police investigation on Wednesday because it is in progress.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was in progress" to clearly indicate that an action, event, or process had already started and was still continuing at a specific point in time. For example, "The investigation was complex, and when I arrived, "it was in progress".

Common error

Avoid using "it was in progress" if the action has already been completed. Ensure that the action was still ongoing at the time you are referencing. If the action is finished, use phrases like "it had been completed" or "it was finished."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was in progress" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that a certain activity, event, or process had already begun and was still happening at a specific point in time. Ludwig provides several examples from news articles and other sources that showcase this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was in progress" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe an ongoing action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to indicate that something had already started and was continuing at a certain point. Analysis of various sources indicates that it is frequently employed in "News & Media" and "Wiki", with a neutral register suitable for many contexts. Remember to differentiate its meaning from similar-sounding but distinct phrases such as "it was completed". By considering these points, writers can effectively and correctly employ "it was in progress" in their compositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was underway

Replaces 'in progress' with 'underway', suggesting the action had commenced and was continuing.

it was ongoing

Substitutes 'in progress' with 'ongoing', emphasizing the continuous nature of the action.

it was happening

Uses a more general term 'happening' to describe the action taking place.

it was being done

Focuses on the action being performed, rather than the state of being in progress.

it was being executed

Highlights the performance or carrying out of a plan or activity.

it was in development

Specifically refers to a state of active development or creation.

it was being implemented

Emphasizes the act of putting a plan or system into effect.

it was unfolding

Suggests the action was gradually revealing itself or playing out.

it was advancing

Highlights the forward movement or progression of the action.

it was proceeding

Indicates the action was moving forward according to a plan or schedule.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was in progress"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was underway", "it was ongoing", or "it was happening" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was in progress" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was in progress" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe an action or event that had already started and was still continuing at a certain point in time, as Ludwig AI also suggests.

When should I use "it was in progress"?

Use "it was in progress" when you want to emphasize that something had begun and was still happening when a particular moment or event occurred. This is different from something that was planned or had already finished.

What is the difference between "it was in progress" and "it was completed"?

"It was in progress" means the action was ongoing, while "it was completed" indicates the action had finished. Therefore, these two phrases indicate completely opposite states of an action.