“In Process” vs “In Progress”: Meaning, Usage, and Real-World Examples can be confusing because both phrases describe something that has not reached its final stage. At first glance, the difference seems small, but the choice can affect clarity, meaning, and how readers interpret your message.
In everyday American English, in progress is usually the more natural phrase. It describes an activity, project, task, or situation that has started and is still happening, while in process has a more technical, formal, or system-related feel.
Knowing when to use each phrase can make your writing sound more clear, polished, and credible. From professional emails and project dashboards to academic work and business communication, the right wording helps you express your ideas with greater precision and confidence.
“In Process” vs “In Progress” at a Glance
Here’s the quickest way to separate the two:
| Phrase | Main idea | Typical use | Example |
| In progress | Something is currently happening | Projects, activities, events, work | “The renovation is in progress.” |
| In process | Something is within a process or stage of production | Technical, manufacturing, or formal contexts | “The components are in-process.” |
| Being processed | Something is actively being handled | Applications, orders, requests, payments | “Your application is being processed.” |
| Underway | Something has started and is continuing | Events, projects, operations | “The investigation is underway.” |
The biggest practical point is simple:
Use “in progress” when you mean that something is happening.
For a request, application, or order that someone is handling, “being processed” often communicates the idea more precisely.
Meanwhile, “in process” can work in specialized contexts. However, it isn’t a universal replacement for “in progress.”
What Does “In Progress” Actually Mean?
“In progress” means that something has started but hasn’t finished.
Merriam-Webster gives the concise definition “going on” or “occurring.” That makes the phrase extremely flexible. You can use it for a project, investigation, event, repair, construction job, or other activity that continues over time. (Merriam-Webster)
Consider these examples:
- “The meeting is in progress.”
- “Construction is in progress.”
- “The investigation remains in progress.”
- “The software update is in progress.”
- “Repairs are currently in progress.”
In every case, the focus falls on the activity itself.
Something is happening. It isn’t finished yet.
Why “in progress” sounds natural
The word progress relates to movement or development toward an objective. Merriam-Webster defines progress as forward or onward movement toward a goal and also as gradual development or improvement. (Merriam-Webster)
That explains why the phrase works so well with activities.
Imagine a crew repairing a damaged road. The repair has begun. Workers are still doing their jobs. The road isn’t finished.
You’d naturally say:
“Road repairs are in progress.”
The sentence tells the reader exactly what matters: the work is currently happening.
What Does “In Process” Actually Mean?
“In process” is more context-dependent.
At its broadest, the phrase suggests that something exists within a process or is moving through a series of stages. However, standard English often prefers a more specific phrase depending on what you’re describing.
For example, in manufacturing, “in-process” has a recognized technical meaning. Merriam-Webster defines it as relating to goods that are being manufactured rather than raw materials or finished products. (Merriam-Webster)
A factory might therefore discuss:
- in-process materials
- in-process inspection
- in-process testing
- in-process inventory
- in-process manufacturing
Here, the word process matters because the subject belongs to a defined production system.
A manufacturing example
Imagine a factory making bicycles.
Raw aluminum enters the facility. Workers cut and shape it. Components move through assembly. Finished bicycles eventually leave the production line.
The partially completed components occupy an intermediate stage.
That stage can be described using in-process terminology.
This isn’t merely a fancy way of saying something is happening. It identifies the item’s position within a production process.
That’s an important distinction.
The Key Difference Between These Phrases
The easiest way to understand “in process” vs “in progress” is to focus on what each phrase emphasizes.
“In progress” focuses on activity
“The project is in progress.”
This means the project has begun and continues.
“In process” focuses on a process
“The materials are in-process.”
This can identify materials currently moving through manufacturing stages.
“Being processed” focuses on handling
“The application is being processed.”
This tells you that a person, department, or system is handling the application.
The three expressions therefore answer slightly different questions:
| Expression | What it tells you |
| In progress | Is the activity happening? Yes. |
| In process | Is the item within a defined process? Yes. |
| Being processed | Is someone or something handling it? Yes. |
This distinction becomes especially useful in workplace writing.
Is “In Process” Grammatically Correct?
Yes, “in process” can be grammatically correct, but grammatical correctness isn’t the same thing as natural usage.
English has plenty of expressions that are technically possible but less idiomatic in everyday speech.
For example:
“The project is in process.”
A reader will probably understand what you mean. However, “The project is in progress” sounds more natural when you simply mean that people are working on the project.
Now consider a manufacturing context:
“The components are in-process.”
That wording has a more specialized function. It can describe goods somewhere between raw materials and completed products. (Merriam-Webster)
So the question isn’t simply:
“Is ‘in process’ correct?”
A better question is:
“Does ‘in process’ accurately describe the situation?”
If you’re describing ordinary ongoing work, “in progress” will usually be clearer.
If you’re discussing a defined production stage, “in-process” may be the appropriate technical term.
Is “In Progress” Always the Better Choice?
Not necessarily.
“In progress” is the better general-purpose expression, but language becomes more precise when you choose words based on the actual situation.
Compare these sentences:
- “Your application is in progress.”
- “Your application is being processed.”
- “Your application is in process.”
All three may communicate that the application hasn’t reached its final outcome. Yet they don’t sound equally precise.
“Being processed” directly tells the reader that the application is undergoing administrative handling.
That’s often the clearest choice.
Likewise:
- “The renovation is in progress.”
- “The renovation is being processed.” ❌
- “The renovation is in process.” Possible, but less natural.
The first sentence wins because a renovation is an activity, not an application being handled by a system.
“In Process” vs “In Progress” Examples
Real-world context makes the difference much easier to spot.
Workplace examples
Natural:
“The website redesign is in progress.”
The team has started the redesign and hasn’t finished it.
Better for a request:
“The employee’s transfer request is being processed.”
The focus is on administrative handling.
Customer service examples
Suppose you order a replacement product.
“Your replacement is in progress.”
This may be understandable, but it doesn’t tell the customer much.
“Your replacement order is being processed.”
That’s more specific. It suggests the order has entered the company’s handling system.
Construction examples
“The bridge repairs are in progress.”
This works perfectly because repair work is an ongoing activity.
You could also say:
“The bridge repairs are underway.”
Both expressions sound natural.
Technology examples
“The software update is in progress.”
This tells users that the update has started but hasn’t finished.
For a system processing information, however, you might write:
“The data is being processed.”
Again, the wording matches the action.
Manufacturing examples
Manufacturing provides one of the clearest cases for in-process terminology.
A factory may distinguish between:
- raw materials
- in-process goods
- finished goods
Cambridge Dictionary recognizes “work in process” as a US term and directs readers to “work in progress.” It also gives manufacturing examples involving partially completed goods. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Common Mistakes With “In Process”
The biggest mistake is treating “in process” and “in progress” as perfect synonyms.
They’re related, but context matters.
Mistake: Using “in process” for every ongoing activity
“The construction is in process.”
A reader will understand it. Still, “The construction is in progress” sounds much more natural in general American English.
Mistake: Confusing “in process” with “being processed”
These expressions aren’t identical.
“The application is being processed” means someone or something is handling it.
“The project is in progress” means the project is underway.
The difference becomes obvious when you substitute the nouns:
The application is being processed.
The project is in progress.
Neither phrase needs to replace the other.
Mistake: Using technical language unnecessarily
A simple sentence usually beats a complicated one.
If you mean:
“The team is working on the report.”
You don’t gain clarity by writing:
“The report is currently in process.”
Instead, say:
“The report is in progress.”
Or simply:
“The team is working on the report.”
Clear writing doesn’t need extra machinery.
“In Process” vs “In Progress” in Business English
Business writing makes this distinction especially useful because companies deal with projects, procedures, requests, applications, orders, and production systems every day.
Consider these examples:
| Situation | Best wording | Why |
| A team is completing a project | The project is in progress. | Describes ongoing work |
| An employee submits a request | The request is being processed. | Describes administrative handling |
| A factory handles unfinished goods | The goods are in-process. | Specialized manufacturing meaning |
| A meeting has started | The meeting is in progress. | Describes an ongoing event |
| A software installation has started | Installation is in progress. | Describes an ongoing activity |
| A company follows a formal procedure | The process is underway. | Describes an active procedure |
Why precision matters at work
A status message should tell people what is actually happening.
Compare:
“Your request is in progress.”
with:
“Your request is being reviewed by our support team.”
The second sentence gives more useful information.
Good business writing doesn’t simply sound professional. It reduces uncertainty.
“In Process” vs “In Progress” in Formal Writing
Formal writing often tempts people to choose words that sound more sophisticated.
That’s usually unnecessary.
“In progress” is perfectly suitable for professional and formal writing when it accurately describes an ongoing activity.
For example:
“The investigation remains in progress.”
“The construction project is currently in progress.”
“The review process is still in progress.”
You don’t need to replace these with heavier wording.
However, formal writing also benefits from precision. If a committee is reviewing an application, “the application is under review” may communicate more than either “in process” or “in progress.”
The goal isn’t to sound formal.
The goal is to say exactly what you mean.
“In Progress” vs “Underway” vs “Being Processed”
These expressions overlap, but each has its own strength.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
| In progress | Currently happening | “The investigation is in progress.” |
| Underway | Has started and is continuing | “The investigation is underway.” |
| Being processed | Being handled through a system or procedure | “The application is being processed.” |
| In-process | Within a production or defined process | “In-process materials require inspection.” |
“In progress”
Choose it when you want a broadly useful phrase for ongoing activity.
“Underway”
“Underway” often sounds slightly more dynamic.
“The negotiations are underway.”
This suggests that the activity has begun and is actively moving forward.
“Being processed”
Use this when an item passes through an administrative or technical system.
“The payment is being processed.”
That sentence is much more specific than simply saying:
“The payment is in progress.”
“In-process”
Save this for contexts where process classification matters.
Manufacturing, quality control, and technical writing are common examples.
“In Process” vs “In Progress” in American English
For everyday American English, “in progress” is the safer and more familiar choice when describing something currently happening.
You’ll see it in signs, workplace messages, software interfaces, project updates, and ordinary conversation.
Examples include:
- Meeting in progress
- Construction in progress
- Work in progress
- Investigation in progress
- Repairs in progress
- Update in progress
The phrase is broad enough to fit many situations.
By contrast, in-process appears more often as a specialized adjective. Merriam-Webster’s definition specifically connects it with goods in manufacturing, although modern usage includes other technical and formal contexts as well. (Merriam-Webster)
So if you’re writing for a general American audience, don’t force “in process” into a sentence simply because it resembles “in progress.”
“Work in Process” vs “Work in Progress”
This is one of the most confusing parts of the topic.
In general writing, “work in progress” is the familiar expression for something that has started but isn’t finished. Merriam-Webster defines it as a project that isn’t yet finished. (Merriam-Webster)
For example:
“The novel is still a work in progress.”
That means the writer hasn’t finished it.
Cambridge also recognizes “work in process” as a US expression and directs readers to “work in progress.” In accounting and manufacturing, however, the distinction becomes more specialized because work in process can refer to partially completed goods or their recorded value. (Cambridge Dictionary)
The practical difference
Work in progress often works in general writing:
- a novel
- a painting
- a website
- a project
- a personal goal
Work in process has a stronger manufacturing or accounting flavor:
- partially completed goods
- production inventory
- manufacturing stages
- production costs
So a painter can naturally say:
“This painting is a work in progress.”
A manufacturer might discuss:
“Work in process inventory.”
The words look nearly identical, but the context changes their role.
How to Choose the Right Phrase
When you’re unsure, use this quick decision guide.
Ask whether something is happening
If yes, use:
In progress
“The repairs are in progress.”
Ask whether someone is handling a request
If yes, consider:
Being processed
“The refund is being processed.”
Ask whether you’re describing a production stage
If yes, consider:
In-process
“The in-process materials require inspection.”
Read More: Family & Friends or Friends & Family? The Complete Guide to the Right Order, Meaning & Usage
Ask whether you’re talking about an unfinished project
Use:
Work in progress
“The website is still a work in progress.”
A simple memory trick
Think of it this way:
Progress = movement toward completion.
Process = the system or series of steps.
That distinction won’t solve every unusual sentence. However, it will guide you toward the natural choice in most everyday situations.
Quick Corrections: Which Version Sounds Better?
Here are some common sentences with clearer alternatives.
| Less natural wording | Better wording | Reason |
| “The construction is in process.” | “The construction is in progress.” | Construction is ongoing activity |
| “The application is in progress.” | “The application is being processed.” | Emphasizes administrative handling |
| “The meeting is in process.” | “The meeting is in progress.” | Standard expression for an ongoing event |
| “The project is in process.” | “The project is in progress.” | Describes unfinished work |
| “The materials are in process.” | “The materials are in-process.” | Technical manufacturing context may call for the adjective |
| “The payment is in process.” | “The payment is being processed.” | Clearly identifies the payment-handling stage |
Notice the pattern: the best wording depends on what the sentence needs to communicate.
Conclusion:
Understanding “In Process” vs “In Progress” becomes much easier when you focus on the situation. In progress is generally the natural choice for an activity, project, task, or event that is actively happening. In process is more closely connected with a defined process, system, workflow, or formal procedure. Choosing the right phrase improves clarity, precision, and overall communication.
FAQs:
Is “in progress” or “in process” more common?
In progress is generally more common in everyday American English. It describes something that has started but is still happening or unfinished.
What does “in process” mean?
In process usually refers to something moving through a particular process, system, or series of steps. It is more common in technical, professional, manufacturing, and administrative contexts.
Can “in progress” describe a project?
Yes. For example, you can say, “The project is in progress.” This clearly shows that the project has started but has not yet finished.
What is the difference between “in-process” and “in progress”?
In-progress can function as a hyphenated compound modifier before a noun, such as “an in-progress project.” In progress is normally used as a phrase after a verb.
Is “in process” grammatically correct?
Yes, in process can be grammatically correct when the context involves a specific process or system. However, in progress is often the better choice for general activities.
Which phrase should I use in professional writing?
Choose based on the context. Use in progress for ongoing activities and in process when referring to a defined workflow, procedure, or technical process.
