If you mean that something is happening or is not finished yet, “in progress” is usually the correct phrase.
For example:
- The project is in progress.
- Your application is in progress.
- The work is still in progress.
“In process” is also used, but it has a different meaning and is less common in everyday English. It often refers to something being handled or processed as part of a procedure.
So, “in progress” and “in process” are not always interchangeable. The right choice depends on what you want to say.
In Process vs. In Progress
The easiest way to remember the difference is this:
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in progress | Something has started but is not finished | The project is in progress. |
| in process | Something is being processed or handled through a process | Your application is in process. |
In normal English, in progress is the natural choice when talking about ongoing work, activities, projects, or tasks.
In progress
Use in progress when something is currently happening or being worked on.
The repairs are in progress.
This means the repairs have started but are not finished.
Other examples:
- The meeting is in progress.
- The investigation is in progress.
- Construction is in progress.
- The work is still in progress.
- The project is currently in progress.
In process
In process can mean that something is being processed or is moving through a particular procedure.
For example:
Your application is in process.
This can mean the application is currently being handled.
However, in many situations, being processed sounds more natural:
Your application is being processed.
That is especially true in professional and customer-service writing.
Work in Process or Work in Progress?
The usual phrase is “work in progress.”
This website is a work in progress.
It means the website is still being developed or improved.
You can also say:
The work is in progress.
These two expressions are related, but their grammar is different.
Work in progress is a noun phrase. It describes work that has started but is not complete.
Work is in progress uses the phrase in progress to describe an ongoing activity.
Compare them:
- The new design is a work in progress.
- Work on the new design is in progress.
Both are correct.
What about “work in process”?
Work in process is possible in some technical, manufacturing, and business contexts. It can refer to work or goods that are currently moving through a production process.
But if you simply want to say that something is unfinished and still being worked on, work in progress is the natural choice.
In Process or In Progress for a Job Application?
This depends on what you want to communicate.
If you mean that a company is currently handling your application, you may see wording such as:
Your application is in process.
However, “your application is being processed” is often clearer.
If you mean that the application process itself has not finished, you can say:
Your application is still in progress.
In workplace systems, including recruitment platforms, the exact wording may depend on the status labels used by the employer or software.
For example:
- Application is in progress.
- Application is being processed.
- Application is under review.
- Application is under consideration.
These expressions are not identical. Under review suggests that someone is examining the application, while in progress simply indicates that the process has not finished.
Is “On Process” Correct?
In standard English, “on process” is generally not the phrase you want.
Use in progress for ongoing work:
The project is in progress.
Use in process when you specifically mean that something is being processed:
The request is in process.
But even here, being processed may be clearer:
The request is being processed.
Do not replace in with on just because something is happening.
Incorrect for standard usage:
The project is on process.
Better:
The project is in progress.
Is “On Progress” Correct?
“On progress” is not standard English.
The normal phrase is:
The project is in progress.
Not:
The project is on progress.
The same pattern appears in common expressions such as:
- work in progress
- construction in progress
- repairs in progress
- discussion in progress
- investigation in progress
The preposition is in, not on.
In Progress vs. Ongoing
In progress and ongoing are very close in meaning. Both can describe something that has started and has not finished.
Compare:
The investigation is in progress.
The investigation is ongoing.
Both sentences tell us that the investigation has not ended.
There is a small difference in style.
In progress often focuses on an activity that is currently being carried out.
Ongoing emphasizes that something continues over a period of time.
For example:
The meeting is in progress.
This suggests that the meeting is happening right now.
The negotiations are ongoing.
This emphasizes that the negotiations continue and have not been completed.
Do I Say “In Process” or “In Progress”?
Use in progress when you mean that something is happening or being worked on.
The project is in progress.
The repairs are in progress.
The review is in progress.
Use in process when you mean that something is being handled as part of a process.
The application is in process.
The request is in process.
Even in these cases, being processed may be a more natural choice:
The request is being processed.
So if you are unsure, ask yourself:
Am I talking about ongoing activity?
If yes, in progress is usually the better choice.
Am I talking about something moving through a procedure?
If yes, in process or being processed may fit.
What Does “In Progress” Mean?
In progress means that something has started but has not finished.
It can describe work, an activity, a project, an event, or a process that is currently happening.
For example:
The renovation is in progress.
The renovation has started, but it is not finished.
More examples:
- The interview is in progress.
- The work is in progress.
- The investigation is in progress.
- The update is in progress.
- The project is still in progress.
The phrase does not necessarily tell us how much work has been completed. It simply tells us that the activity is ongoing.
Is “Work Is in Progress” Grammatically Correct?
Yes.
The work is in progress.
This is a grammatically correct sentence.
It means the work has started and is not finished.
You can also say:
Work is in progress.
This version is common in notices and signs.
For example:
Road work is in progress.
Maintenance work is in progress.
The phrase can also appear in a more general expression:
The website is a work in progress.
Here, a work in progress means something that is still being developed, changed, or improved.
Professional Ways to Say “Work in Progress”
The best alternative depends on the situation.
In progress
The project is currently in progress.
This is simple and professional.
Ongoing
The review is ongoing.
This works well when an activity continues over time.
Under development
The new system is under development.
Use this for software, products, websites, systems, and similar projects.
Being developed
The new feature is being developed.
This clearly shows that development is taking place.
Underway
The project is already underway.
Underway is a useful professional alternative when something has started.
Being worked on
The document is currently being worked on.
This is natural and direct.
Under review
The application is currently under review.
Use this when something is being examined rather than simply worked on.
What Can I Say Instead of “In Progress”?
Here are several alternatives:
- ongoing
- underway
- continuing
- in development
- being developed
- being worked on
- under review
- currently active
- not yet complete
- still underway
They are not perfect substitutes in every sentence.
For example:
The project is in progress.
can become:
The project is underway.
But if you are talking about an application being examined, under review may be more precise:
The application is under review.
Choosing the exact phrase makes your writing clearer.
What Is Another Word for “Work in Process”?
If you mean unfinished work, work in progress is usually the natural phrase.
Depending on the context, you could also say:
- ongoing work
- work underway
- unfinished work
- work under development
- work being carried out
- work currently underway
In manufacturing or accounting contexts, work in process may have a more specific technical meaning. It can refer to goods or work that have entered production but have not yet been completed.
So the meaning of work in process depends more heavily on context than the everyday phrase work in progress.
Is “Work in Progress” the Same as “Work in Process”?
Not always.
In everyday English, work in progress means work that is not finished.
The book is still a work in progress.
Work in process can describe work that is moving through a process, especially in technical or manufacturing contexts.
For example, a factory may have products that are partly completed and still moving through production.
The phrases can overlap, but they should not automatically be treated as identical.
If you are writing a general sentence about something unfinished, work in progress is the safer and more natural choice.
What Is a Stronger Word for “Progress”?
There is no single stronger replacement for progress in every sentence. The best word depends on the meaning.
Possible alternatives include:
- advancement
- development
- improvement
- growth
- movement
- advancement toward a goal
For example:
We are making progress on the project.
could become:
We are making significant progress on the project.
Or:
The project is advancing well.
The word progress itself is often the clearest choice, so replacing it with a more formal word is not always an improvement.
What Is Another Way to Say “In Process”?
Depending on the context, you can say:
- being processed
- underway
- in progress
- ongoing
- being handled
- under review
- under consideration
- being worked on
- currently being completed
For example:
Your request is in process.
A clearer version may be:
Your request is being processed.
If you mean that work has started:
The work is in progress.
If you mean that a request is being examined:
Your request is under review.
The best alternative depends on what is actually happening.
Common Examples
Here are some natural examples that show the difference.
In progress
The construction work is in progress.
The meeting is still in progress.
The investigation is in progress.
The software update is in progress.
The project is currently in progress.
In process
The application is in process.
The request is in process.
The paperwork is in process.
For many of these examples, being processed may sound more natural:
The application is being processed.
The request is being processed.
Incorrect “on” forms
Avoid these forms in standard English:
The project is on progress.
The work is on process.
Instead, use:
The project is in progress.
The work is in progress.
Quick Comparison
| Expression | Correct? | Typical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| in progress | Yes | Happening or not finished |
| in process | Yes, in certain contexts | Being handled or processed |
| on process | No, in standard usage | Use in process or being processed |
| on progress | No | Use in progress |
| ongoing | Yes | Continuing over time |
| work in progress | Yes | Unfinished work |
| work in process | Yes, in specific contexts | Work moving through a process |
FAQs
Which is correct: “a work in process” or “a work in progress”?
For something unfinished that is still being developed or improved, a work in progress is the standard expression.
The novel is a work in progress.
Work in process can have a more specific technical meaning, especially in production contexts.
What is another way to say “in process”?
Depending on the context, you can say being processed, underway, ongoing, under review, or being handled.
For example:
Your application is being processed.
Is it “on process” or “in process”?
In process is the correct form when that phrase fits the intended meaning. On process is not standard English.
What is the difference between “in progress” and “ongoing”?
Both describe something that continues and is not finished. In progress often emphasizes an activity currently being carried out, while ongoing emphasizes continued activity over time.
Do I say “in process” or “in progress”?
Use in progress for something that is happening or being worked on. Use in process when you mean that something is being handled as part of a process.
What is a professional way to say “work in progress”?
You can say work underway, ongoing work, work in development, or work currently being carried out, depending on the context.
What can I say instead of “in progress”?
You can use ongoing, underway, continuing, in development, being worked on, or under review when the context supports it.
What is another word for “work in process”?
For ordinary unfinished work, work in progress is the more natural expression. Other options include ongoing work, work underway, and unfinished work.
What does “in progress” mean?
In progress means that something has started but has not finished.
The project is in progress.
Is it grammatically correct to say “work is in progress”?
Yes. “Work is in progress” is grammatically correct.
The repair work is in progress.
It means the work has started and is still continuing.
What does it mean to say something is “in progress”?
It means the activity has begun but is not complete.
The application process is in progress.
This tells the reader that the process is still continuing.
Is it “on progress” or “in progress”?
The correct standard expression is in progress.
The project is in progress.
On progress is not standard English.
What is a stronger word for “progress”?
Depending on the context, possible alternatives include advancement, development, improvement, and growth. However, progress is often the clearest word.
Is “work in progress” the same as “work in process”?
Not exactly. Work in progress normally means unfinished work. Work in process can refer to work moving through a production or business process.
What’s a fancy word for “process”?
Depending on the meaning, possible alternatives include procedure, method, operation, procedure, or workflow. The right choice depends on the type of process being described.
How do you say something is a work in progress?
You can simply say:
It is a work in progress.
You can also say:
It is still under development.
or
It is still being worked on.
What do you call a work in progress?
You can call it unfinished work, ongoing work, work underway, or simply a work in progress. The last phrase is the most common general expression.
Final Answer
Use in progress when you mean that something is happening, developing, or not finished.
The project is in progress.
Use in process when you specifically mean that something is being handled or processed through a procedure.
The application is in process.
When clarity matters, being processed may be better:
The application is being processed.
And when talking about unfinished work in everyday English, choose work in progress, not work in process.
In short:
- in progress = happening or not finished
- in process = being processed or handled
- on progress = incorrect
- on process = not standard
- work in progress = the normal phrase for unfinished work
Hi, I’m Guy Cook from spellixy.com. I create simple, helpful content and easy digital writing tips to make learning clearer and faster.
