things are underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are underway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a process or activity has started and is currently in progress. Example: "The preparations for the event are underway, and we expect everything to be ready by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Things are underway.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Contracts had already been signed and things were underway," he said.

Vice

Probably this kind of thing is underway at more than a few places around the world.

TechCrunch

An ongoing, for profit version of this sort of thing is underway at Cambrian House, a "crowd sourced" software development company.

TechCrunch

They might happen faster with the ACA, but these are things that are underway because of bigger issues.

University of Chicago

Things are well underway for this enterprise.

Vice

Once you are underway, things never go exactly the way you anticipate.

Forbes

Outside Canada things are tense because seismic shifts are underway.

The New York Times

The results will also include information like how many more electoral votes a presidential candidate needs to win, how many seats are up for grabs in the House and Senate, and how many Gubernatorial races are underway, among other things.

TechCrunch

Irrevocable changes are underway.

The Guardian - Film

Britain are underway.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are underway" to clearly communicate that a project, plan, or activity has commenced and is currently in progress. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "things are underway" excessively when more specific language would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of saying "things are underway" for a construction project, specify "construction is underway".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are underway" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a particular activity, process, or plan has started and is currently in progress. It asserts that action is in motion. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things are underway" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression indicating that a process or activity has begun and is currently progressing. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

It is suitable for various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations, though more specific language might be preferred in formal settings for greater clarity. Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase appears frequently in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science" contexts. Related phrases include "things are in progress" and "activities are ongoing", each offering slightly different nuances. When writing, ensure to use precise language where necessary to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things are in progress

Replaces "underway" with a more direct and common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

work is in progress

Focuses on the "work" aspect and uses "in progress" to denote the current state.

activities are ongoing

Substitutes "things" with "activities" to emphasize specific actions, adding a slight degree of formality.

developments are in motion

Replaces "things" with "developments" and "underway" with "in motion" to suggest progress and change.

preparations are proceeding

Focuses on preparatory actions and replaces "underway" with "proceeding" for a more formal tone.

operations are in effect

Replaces "things" with "operations," suggesting that the activities are actively producing results.

the process has begun

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the commencement of a process.

the project is in development

Specifies "project" as the subject and uses "in development" to highlight the ongoing creation or refinement.

the ball is rolling

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something has started and is moving forward.

wheels are turning

Employs a metaphor to suggest that the mechanisms for progress are activated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things are underway" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "activities are ongoing", "preparations are proceeding", or "the process has begun".

Is "things are underway" appropriate for business communication?

Yes, "things are underway" is generally acceptable for business communication. However, depending on the specific context and your audience, more precise language might be preferred for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "things are underway" and "things are in progress"?

The phrases "things are underway" and "things are in progress" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Things are in progress" is perhaps slightly more direct, while "things are underway" can imply a sense of momentum.

Can "things are underway" be used to describe both physical and abstract processes?

Yes, "things are underway" can be used to describe both physical processes (like construction) and abstract processes (like negotiations or planning).