ongoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ongoing' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that is continuing or happening over a period of time. For example: The ongoing construction work at the park is causing disruption to the local residents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government should not tell women what to wear, the home secretary has said, amid ongoing debate over the use of full-face veils.

The Guardian

Writers who successfully complete the course will receive a successful completion certificate from UEA, which will be made on the basis of ongoing assessment and a final submission of at least 10,000 words.

The Guardian

Members of a well-known London football dynasty that also numbers Les, Dennis, Bradley and Clive among its members, the pair will conduct the draw at approximately 2pm, with five different third-round matches either ongoing or still to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

With this legislation pending, as well as a presidential campaign and an ongoing battle to reform the NSA, it doesn't seem likely that Paul is ready to follow in Gravel's footsteps.

The Guardian

An investigation into what caused the men to crash into the cliff face is ongoing.

The Guardian

This is still ongoing but the council has assured us that they will fully fund the library for the next few years.

The Guardian - Books

In his opinion, the ongoing talks are doomed to fail because Iran will never put up with the US.

The Guardian

Still, the latest judicial document in the ongoing battle, a 337-page justification of the most recent convictions made public on Tuesday, marks a new low.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Kearns said the court "is satisfied, in the circumstances of this case, that it is in the best interests of the unborn child; it should authorise at the discretion of the medical team the withdrawal of ongoing somatic support being provided in this tragic and unfortunate case".

The Guardian

When I was at school, I don't think I realised there were playwrights who were alive and still writing; you just don't register that it's still a new and ongoing art form.

The Guardian

Scala has made similar comments before but in light of the ongoing Swiss investigation and confirmation that the FBI has now widened its probe to include 2018 and 2022, his intervention takes on a new significance.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ongoing" to describe processes, projects, or situations that are currently active and expected to continue. For instance, "The company is undergoing an ongoing restructuring process."

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing" to describe something that has already finished. For example, it's incorrect to say, "The meeting was ongoing yesterday" if the meeting is now over.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ongoing" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is currently in progress or continuing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "ongoing" is frequently used to describe actions, events, or processes that are currently happening and expected to continue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English writing. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in formal and business contexts. Consider alternatives like "in progress" or "continuing" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Be sure to avoid using "ongoing" to describe actions that have already concluded. The phrase is a versatile and essential part of the English language, employed across diverse writing styles and professional fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in progress

Focuses on the action currently happening but doesn't necessarily imply a continuous nature as strongly as "ongoing".

continuing

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the action, similar to "ongoing".

current

Highlights the present state of something, often implying a temporary or evolving situation.

in effect

Indicates something is currently active or operative, often used for rules or policies.

uninterrupted

Stresses the absence of breaks in the activity, highlighting its continuous flow.

proceeding

Highlights that something is moving forward and continuing but with less emphasis on duration.

unfolding

Suggests a gradual revelation or development over time, differing slightly from the continuous nature of "ongoing".

underway

Indicates that something has started and is currently happening, often implying a planned or scheduled event.

remaining in effect

Emphasizes that something continues to apply or be valid, usually over a specified period.

sustaining

Highlights the act of maintaining or supporting something over time, differing slightly from the continuous nature of "ongoing".

FAQs

How do you use "ongoing" in a sentence?

Use "ongoing" to describe something currently happening and expected to continue. For example: "The negotiations are "currently underway"", "The project requires "continuous monitoring"" or "We are facing an "unresolved issue"".

What words can I use instead of "ongoing"?

Alternatives include "in progress", "continuing", or "current", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "an ongoing process"?

Yes, "an ongoing process" is grammatically correct. It indicates that the process is currently active and expected to continue.

What is the difference between "ongoing" and "continuous"?

"Ongoing" means currently happening and expected to continue, while "continuous" means without interruption. While similar, "continuous" emphasizes the lack of breaks. You might have an "ongoing" project with occasional pauses, but a "continuous" flow implies no stops at all. For example, the production is "non-stop".