was in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

"was in progress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is still happening or was in the process of happening. For example: The project was in progress when the team was forced to pause due to the current health crisis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A treaty was in progress.

The New York Times

It was in progress.

The New Yorker

A revolution was in progress.

The New York Times

An operation was in progress.

The New Yorker

A Mass was in progress.

The New Yorker

Soon an assembly line was in progress.

The New York Times

We finally arrived at the wedding, which was in progress.

The New Yorker

Next door, a language class was in progress.

The New Yorker

To my horror, an operation was in progress.

The New York Times - Magazine

Down the hall, another meeting was in progress.

The New York Times

A few feet away, the vaccination campaign was in progress.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was in progress" to clearly indicate that an event or action was happening at a specific point in the past. This phrase helps establish a timeline and context for your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was in progress" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of saying "The meeting was in progress", you could say "The meeting was happening" or "The meeting was underway".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in progress" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an action, event, or process was happening at a particular time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources, where this phrase provides context and sets the scene for other events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

39%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was in progress" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe an action or event that was ongoing at a particular time in the past. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's versatile, appearing in both formal and informal contexts, with high frequency in News & Media and Science. For alternative phrasing, consider "was underway" or "was ongoing" to maintain clarity and provide nuance. Remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences for more concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was underway

Uses a different verb to convey the sense of something happening, slightly more formal.

was ongoing

Replaces 'in progress' with a single adjective that means the same thing, simpler phrasing.

was happening

More general term to describe something taking place. Less formal.

was occurring

Similar to happening, but more formal and often suggests a specific event or incident.

was taking place

More descriptive and less common than "was happening".

was being executed

Implies a planned or controlled activity, slightly more technical.

was being implemented

Suggests a plan or policy is being put into action, more specific context.

was unfolding

Suggests a gradual revelation or development, conveys a sense of time passing.

was advancing

Emphasizes the forward movement or development of something.

was developing

Focuses on the evolution and growth of the subject. Implies change over time.

FAQs

How can I use "was in progress" in a sentence?

Use "was in progress" to describe an action or event that /s/was+underway, /s/was+happening, or /s/was+ongoing at a particular time in the past. For example, "The surgery was in progress when the fire alarm sounded".

What phrases are similar to "was in progress"?

Alternatives include "was underway", "was ongoing", "was happening", or "was taking place". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was in progress" or "was underway"?

Both phrases are correct, but "was in progress" is often used for more general situations, while "was underway" might suggest something is actively moving forward or has already started.

What does "was in progress" mean?

The phrase "was in progress" means that something /s/was+occurring, /s/was+happening, or /s/was+ongoing at a specific point in the past. It implies that the action had started but had not yet finished.