it was still in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was still in progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is ongoing or not yet completed at a specific point in time. Example: "The project deadline was approaching, but it was still in progress, and the team was working hard to finish it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He added, they had not completely drafted the language of that bill and it was still in progress.

TechCrunch

And it was still in progress, in some ways.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is still in progress.

The Economist

It's still in progress.

The New York Times

"It's still in progress," Ms. Dugger said.

The New York Times

It is still in progress and may yet finish us all off.

The Guardian - Books

Each of them achieved their goal of lower inflation by controlling the growth of their money supply.Milton Friedman's legacy is manifold:  Much of it is still in progress.

The Economist

It's still in progress, so check back again later.

TechCrunch

As it is still in progress, the final amount and final valuation may also change.

TechCrunch

If you miss the initial call but it's still in progress, you can tap the Phone icon in the group chat to join the call.

TechCrunch

'It is not over until the fat lady sings' - a well-known phrase which warns you should not presume the outcome of an event when it is still in progress.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was still in progress" to clearly indicate that a task, project, or process had started but had not yet reached completion at a specific point in time. This provides context and manages expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently. Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain the same past tense to align with "it was still in progress". Switching to present or future tenses mid-description can cause confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was still in progress" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the state of an activity, project, or process at a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. It serves to inform that something had begun but not yet finished.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was still in progress" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the state of an ongoing activity or project at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, but is suitable for various contexts. When writing, ensure tense consistency and consider more formal alternatives for academic or technical content. While generally neutral, remember its primary purpose is to inform and manage expectations regarding the status of an incomplete task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was ongoing

Replaces "in progress" with "ongoing", a more direct synonym.

it was underway

Substitutes "in progress" with "underway", suggesting the action has commenced.

it had not yet concluded

Emphasizes the lack of completion using a more formal tone.

it was not yet finished

Replaces "in progress" with a simpler, more direct expression of incompleteness.

it was in the works

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate development or preparation.

it was being developed

Focuses on the active process of development rather than the state of being in progress.

it was still being worked on

Highlights the continuous effort being put into the task.

it was in the process of being completed

A more verbose alternative emphasizing the active process of reaching completion.

it was evolving

Suggests a gradual change and development over time.

it remained incomplete

Highlights the state of incompleteness with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was still in progress" to sound more formal?

You could use alternatives like "it had not yet concluded" or "it remained incomplete" to convey a similar meaning with a more formal tone.

What are some simpler ways to say "it was still in progress"?

Simpler alternatives include "it was ongoing" or "it was underway". These options are direct and easily understood.

Is it always necessary to use "still" in the phrase "it was still in progress"?

While "still" emphasizes the continuation of the process, the phrase "it was in progress" is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

Can I use "it is still in progress" instead of "it was still in progress"?

Yes, but the tense should align with the context. Use "it is still in progress" when referring to something ongoing in the present, and "it was still in progress" when referring to something that was ongoing in the past.