was still in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was still in progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or event was ongoing or not yet completed at a certain point in time. Example: "The construction of the new bridge was still in progress when the heavy rains began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His trial in the genocidal killings of a hundred thousand Kurds was still in progress.

The New Yorker

While the war was still in progress, general elections resulted in important gains for the right.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were early, though, and an unrelated wedding was still in progress.

The New York Times

The trial was still in progress on Sept. 11, when the world's attention veered elsewhere.

The New York Times

A savage new war rages in Iraq, but you would think the last one was still in progress.

Independent

Work was still in progress, and "the units they showed me were more than I wanted to spend," he said.

The New York Times

Oversized Chris Farley got the part, but he died while the voicing of the movie was still in progress.

The Guardian - Film

His term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ended while the operation was still in progress.

The New Yorker

While the Kronshtadt mutiny was still in progress, Moscow announced the abolition of the universally hated policy of grain requisitions, replacing it with a tax in kind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Smid, who has had 10 fights in his five-year N.H.L. career, skated over and started to talk to Avery while play was still in progress.

The New York Times - Sports

Back at the hotel (the reunion was still in progress — fewer people, louder music), Shelby lay in bed, shivering, repeating, "That was awful".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was still in progress", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific timeframe or event being referenced. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding of the ongoing nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "was still in progress" repeatedly in passive voice constructions. Opt for active voice where possible to make your writing more dynamic and engaging. For instance, instead of "The investigation was still in progress by the police", consider "The police were still investigating."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was still in progress" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an action or event had begun but had not yet reached completion at a specified point in the past. This usage is supported by multiple examples provided by Ludwig, demonstrating its applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was still in progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates an ongoing action or event at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in passive constructions and ensure the context clarifies the timeframe. Semantically related alternatives include "was underway" and "remained ongoing". Understanding its function and purpose allows for effective communication across diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was underway

A more concise way of saying "was in progress", suitable for many contexts.

remained ongoing

Replaces "in progress" with "ongoing", emphasizing the continuous nature of the action.

was continuing

Focuses on the continuation of an action without specifying its completion stage.

had not concluded

Highlights the lack of completion, suitable for formal contexts.

was not yet finalized

Highlights the lack of a final decision or outcome.

was yet to be completed

Emphasizes that the process had not reached its final state.

persisted

Indicates that something continued despite potential obstacles.

carried on

Suggests a continuation of activity, often despite difficulties.

was being executed

Focuses on the active performance of a task or plan.

was unfolding

Implies a gradual development or revelation of events.

FAQs

What does "was still in progress" mean?

The phrase "was still in progress" indicates that an action, event, or process had started but had not yet been completed at a particular point in time. It suggests that something was ongoing.

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

You can use "was still in progress" to describe any activity that hadn't finished. For example, "The meeting "was still in progress" when I arrived", or "The construction "was still in progress" despite the delays".

What are some alternatives to "was still in progress"?

Alternatives to "was still in progress" include "was underway", "remained ongoing", or "was continuing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is still in progress" instead of "was still in progress"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Is still in progress" indicates that something is currently ongoing, while "was still in progress" indicates that something was ongoing at a specific time in the past.