under way

USAGE SUMMARY

"under way" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has begun and is in progress. For example, "The research project is already underway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're under way!

The New York Times

"Discussions are under way".

The New York Times

Two words: "under way".

The New York Times

Investigations are under way".

The New York Times

Precautions are under way.

The New York Times - Sports

Other projects under way?

The New York Times

Reforms are under way.

The New York Times

It's under way.

The New York Times

Repairs are under way.

The New York Times

Negotiations were under way.

The New Yorker

That is under way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under way" to clearly indicate that a process, project, or activity has started and is currently in progress. This provides a concise way to communicate the status of something.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that implies "under way" will happen in the future. "The project will be under way next week" is incorrect; instead, say "The project will be under way by next week" or "The project will commence next week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under way" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action or process has begun and is currently in progress. Ludwig confirms that this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under way" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something has started and is currently in progress. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in News & Media, alongside Formal & Business and Science. It serves to communicate status updates and is appropriate for neutral registers. When writing with "under way", it is important to ensure the tense aligns with the ongoing nature of the activity, avoiding future tense constructions that incorrectly imply commencement. Alternatives like "in progress" and "in motion" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in progress

Replaces "under way" by directly stating that something is currently happening; focuses on the active nature of the event.

in motion

Emphasizes the start of an activity or process; useful when highlighting the dynamic aspect.

in operation

Highlights that a system or process is functioning actively, similar to "under way" but more specific to operational contexts.

in effect

Indicates that a rule, law, or agreement is currently being implemented or is active.

in action

Focuses on the active engagement or performance of someone or something.

happening now

Directly states that something is currently occurring; more informal than "under way".

taking place

Indicates that an event is occurring, often used in more formal or descriptive contexts.

being executed

Suggests a planned action is being carried out, often used in business or technical settings.

in the works

Indicates that something is being planned or developed, although not necessarily actively happening yet.

proceeding forward

Emphasizes the forward movement or advancement of a project or initiative.

FAQs

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

You can use "under way" to indicate that a process or activity has begun and is currently in progress. For example, "The construction of the new bridge is "under way"".

What can I say instead of "under way"?

You can use alternatives like "in progress", "in motion", or "in operation" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the plans are under way"?

Yes, "the plans are "under way"" is grammatically correct. It means that the plans are being implemented or are currently in progress.

What's the difference between "under way" and "about to start"?

"Under way" means something has already begun, while "about to start" means something is on the verge of beginning. "The meeting is "under way"" indicates the meeting is happening now. "The meeting is about to start" means it will begin very soon.