were in progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were in progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or event was ongoing at a specific time in the past. Example: "The renovations on the building were in progress when the storm hit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Revolutions were in progress around the clock.

The New York Times - Arts

In the back room, French lessons were in progress.

The New York Times

At the time, Bestfoods denied any conversations were in progress.

The New York Times

Volleyball games were in progress outside the Beach House.

The New York Times - Travel

He died in 1993, while divorce proceedings were in progress.

The New York Times

Collections were in progress in Berlin today [March 23].

The New York Times

Two games were in progress, one at each net.

The Economist

Washaya-Moyo said no arrests have been made and investigations were in progress.

The Guardian

MMO2 confirmed the offer that day, but said no discussions were in progress.

The New York Times

But he made clear that preparations were in progress for using such troops.

The New York Times

The cooks, unaware of the changes until they were in progress, frequently crowded around the chef.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were in progress" to clearly indicate that an activity or event was ongoing at a specific point in the past. For instance, "The negotiations "were in progress" when the agreement was finalized."

Common error

Avoid using "is in progress" or "are in progress" when referring to a past event. "Were in progress" is specifically for past continuous actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were in progress" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating that an action or event was ongoing at a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in describing various situations, from negotiations to renovations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were in progress" is a versatile past continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions or events at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI highlights its correct grammatical status and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register. For alternatives, consider "were underway" or "were ongoing", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were underway

Synonymous, offering a slightly more concise alternative.

were ongoing

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the actions.

were proceeding

A more formal alternative, highlighting the advancement of something.

were advancing

Similar to 'were proceeding', but with a stronger sense of forward movement.

were developing

Focuses on the growth or evolution of something.

were happening

A more general term indicating that events were taking place.

were being conducted

Suggests a structured or organized process.

were being executed

Implies a planned and deliberate series of actions.

were taking place

Similar to 'were happening', but slightly more formal.

were in the works

An informal expression indicating that something is being planned or prepared.

FAQs

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

Use "were in progress" to describe actions or events that were ongoing at a specific time in the past. For example, "The renovations "were underway" while the building was occupied."

What phrases are similar to "were in progress"?

Similar phrases include "were underway", "were ongoing", or "were proceeding", each carrying slightly different nuances in formality and emphasis.

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

"Was in progress" is used with singular subjects, while "were in progress" is used with plural subjects or with 'you'. For example: "The meeting was in progress" versus "The meetings were in progress."

What is the difference between "were in progress" and "had been in progress"?

"Were in progress" describes an action ongoing at a specific time in the past, whereas "had been in progress" indicates an action that started before a specific time in the past and continued until that time. For example: "The talks were in progress when the deal collapsed", versus "The talks had been in progress for months when the deal collapsed".