“In Process” vs “In Progress”: Meaning, Difference & Correct Usage
“In process” and “in progress” are both correct English phrases, but they are not always interchangeable. Use in progress when an activity, task, event, or piece of work is currently happening. Use in process when something is moving through a defined procedure, system, workflow, or series of stages.
The difference is small, which is why phrases such as in process or in progress, work in process or work in progress, and still in progress or still on progress cause so much confusion.
Quick Answer
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In progress | Currently happening or being worked on | The project is in progress. |
| In process | Moving through a procedure or established sequence | Your application is in process. |
| In the process of | Currently doing something | We are in the process of moving. |
| On process | Usually incorrect in standard English | Use in process instead. |
| On progress | Usually incorrect in standard English | Use in progress instead. |
| Under progress | Usually unnatural/nonstandard | Use in progress or underway. |
The simplest rule is:
Activity happening now = in progress
Procedure or workflow being followed = in process
Also check: Smooth vs. Smoothe
In Process vs In Progress: What Is the Difference?
The words process and progress describe related ideas, but they focus on different things.
What Does “In Progress” Mean?
In progress means that something has started and is currently happening, developing, or being worked on.
Examples:
- The meeting is in progress.
- Construction is in progress.
- The investigation is still in progress.
- Repairs are in progress.
- The project is in progress.
- The match was already in progress when we arrived.
The phrase focuses on the fact that the activity is underway and not yet finished.
What Does “In Process” Mean?
In process usually means something is currently moving through an established system, procedure, sequence, or set of steps.
Examples:
- Your application is in process.
- The order is in process.
- Several claims are currently in process.
- The request remains in process.
- The documents are in process and will be reviewed shortly.
Here, the important idea is not simply that work is happening. It is that something is passing through a process.
In Progress Meaning
When something is in progress, it is currently taking place or being done.
Common examples include:
- work
- construction
- repairs
- meetings
- negotiations
- investigations
- exams
- projects
- games
- audits
For example:
The audit is still in progress.
This tells us that the audit has begun but has not finished.
The Cambridge Dictionary definition of “in progress” describes it as something happening or being done now.
In Process Meaning
In process focuses more strongly on procedure.
If an application is in process, it normally means it has entered a system and is going through one or more required stages.
For example:
Your visa application is in process.
Possible stages might include:
- submission
- verification
- review
- approval
- final processing
The phrase does not necessarily tell you which stage has been reached. It simply tells you that the procedure has not been completed.
In Process or In Progress: Which Should You Use?
Ask one question:
Am I describing an activity, or am I describing a procedure?
Use “In Progress” for an Activity
- The meeting is in progress.
- The roadwork is in progress.
- Negotiations are in progress.
- The investigation is in progress.
- Development is still in progress.
Use “In Process” for a Procedure
- Your refund is in process.
- The application is in process.
- The claim remains in process.
- The request is in process.
- The order is in process.
In everyday English, in progress is much more natural for general unfinished work.
Still In Progress or Still In Process?
Both are correct, but they communicate slightly different ideas.
Still In Progress
Use this when an activity has not finished.
The renovation is still in progress.
The investigation is still in progress.
The discussion is still in progress.
Still In Process
Use this when something remains inside a procedure or workflow.
Your application is still in process.
The insurance claim is still in process.
The request is still in process.
If no formal procedure is involved, still in progress will usually sound more natural.
In Process vs In Progress for a Job Application
This distinction becomes especially important with recruitment portals and job applications.
Application “In Process”
If a job application says In Process, it generally indicates that the application is still active within the employer’s recruitment workflow.
It may be:
- awaiting review
- under review
- with a recruiter
- moving between hiring stages
- awaiting another action
It does not automatically mean that an interview, offer, or rejection is coming.
Recruitment systems can be customized, so employers may assign slightly different meanings to their status labels.
Application “In Progress”
In Progress can also appear in recruitment software, but the exact meaning depends on the system.
It may refer to:
- a hiring task currently underway
- an incomplete application
- an assessment being completed
- an active review
Do not assume the wording means exactly the same thing across every employer.
In Process vs In Progress in Workday
If you see In Process in Workday, it normally indicates that the item is active somewhere in a workflow rather than closed or completed.
For a job application, the exact stage can depend on how the employer configured Workday.
So:
In Process ≠guaranteed interview
In Process ≠offer
In Process ≠rejection
It mainly tells you that the workflow has not reached a final closed status.
Work in Progress or Work in Process?
Both expressions exist, but they are often used in different contexts.
Work in Progress
Work in progress is the more general phrase for unfinished work.
Examples:
- This painting is a work in progress.
- The website is still a work in progress.
- The building is a work in progress.
- My report is a work in progress.
It can describe almost anything that has started but is not complete.
Work in Process
Work in process is especially common in manufacturing, production, inventory, and accounting.
It refers to goods that have entered production but have not yet become finished products.
Examples include:
- unfinished factory units
- partially assembled products
- materials currently being transformed
- goods between raw materials and finished inventory
So the distinction can be summarized like this:
| Phrase | Common Context |
|---|---|
| Work in progress | General unfinished work |
| Work in process | Manufacturing/accounting/production |
| WIP | Can represent either phrase depending on context |
In some industries, the two expressions are used almost interchangeably, so context still matters.
Is It Work in Progress or Process?
For normal conversation, work in progress is usually the natural phrase.
Correct:
My new website is still a work in progress.
Less natural in that context:
My new website is still a work in process.
But in a factory:
Work-in-process inventory increased this month.
That sentence makes perfect sense because it refers to unfinished manufactured goods.
In Process vs In-Process
Hyphenation changes when the phrase appears before a noun as a compound modifier.
In Process
Use the open form when it appears after a verb:
The application is in process.
Several orders are in process.
In-Process
The hyphenated form can be used before a noun:
- in-process inspection
- in-process testing
- in-process inventory
- in-process materials
Example:
The factory introduced additional in-process inspections.
The hyphen helps readers understand that both words work together to modify the following noun.
In Progress vs In-Progress
The same principle applies to in progress.
In Progress
Use it normally after the verb:
The project is in progress.
In-Progress
A hyphen can appear when the expression directly modifies a noun:
The manager reviewed the in-progress projects.
That said, writers often prefer a simpler word such as ongoing:
The manager reviewed the ongoing projects.
Inprogress or In Progress?
Write in progress as two words.
Correct:
The work is in progress.
Incorrect:
The work is inprogress.
The one-word form inprogress is not the standard spelling.
On Progress or In Progress?
Use in progress, not on progress, in standard English.
Correct:
The project is in progress.
Incorrect:
The project is on progress.
You might hear on progress from English learners because other languages use different prepositions for similar expressions, but it is not the normal English phrase.
On Process or In Process?
Use in process, not on process, when describing something going through a procedure.
Correct:
Your request is in process.
Incorrect:
Your request is on process.
You can, however, use in the process of:
We are in the process of reviewing your request.
In the Process or On the Process?
Usually, use in the process.
Correct:
We are in the process of changing suppliers.
Correct:
Several problems appeared in the process.
On the process can be grammatical when process is the topic of discussion:
I wrote a report on the process.
There, on means “about.”
Compare:
We are in the process of hiring.
= Hiring is currently happening.
We gave a presentation on the hiring process.
= The presentation was about the process.
One preposition changes the whole job. English does enjoy making people earn their coffee.
In the Progress: Is It Correct?
Usually, in the progress is not the phrase you need.
Use:
The project is in progress.
Not:
The project is in the progress.
The article the is unnecessary in the standard expression in progress.
However, progress can take modifiers in other structures:
We were encouraged by the progress of the project.
That is grammatically different from the fixed phrase in progress.
Under Progress vs In Progress
Under progress is not standard natural English for an ongoing task.
Instead of:
The construction is under progress.
Write:
The construction is in progress.
Or:
The construction is underway.
Similarly, under process is usually better replaced by:
- in process
- being processed
- under review
- undergoing processing
Process vs Progress
Understanding the nouns themselves makes the distinction much easier.
Process
A process is a series of steps or actions used to achieve a result.
Examples:
- hiring process
- manufacturing process
- approval process
- application process
- registration process
Progress
Progress refers to forward movement, development, advancement, or the continuation of something toward completion.
Examples:
- good progress
- slow progress
- project progress
- progress toward completion
So:
process = the steps
progress = the movement
A task can move through a process while making progress.
Process and Progress in the Same Sentence
Both words can appear naturally together:
The approval process is making good progress.
Here:
- process = the formal sequence of approval stages
- progress = how far the approval has advanced
Another example:
The construction process is complex, but the project is making steady progress.
There is no conflict because the words perform different jobs.
Better Alternatives to “In Process”
Depending on context, you can replace in process with:
- being processed
- under review
- pending
- being handled
- being considered
- undergoing review
- moving through the system
- awaiting completion
- under consideration
Examples:
Your application is being processed.
Your claim is under review.
These can sound more natural than in process in everyday communication.
Better Alternatives to “In Progress”
Useful alternatives include:
- underway
- ongoing
- happening
- being carried out
- being worked on
- developing
- continuing
- active
- unfinished
Examples:
The investigation is underway.
Repairs are ongoing.
The project is being worked on.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: The meeting is in process.
Better:
The meeting is in progress.
A meeting is primarily an activity taking place, not an item traveling through an administrative procedure.
Incorrect: My application is on process.
Correct:
My application is in process.
Even more natural:
My application is being processed.
Incorrect: Construction is on progress.
Correct:
Construction is in progress.
Incorrect: The report is under progress.
Correct:
The report is in progress.
Incorrect: The work is inprogress.
Correct:
The work is in progress.
Practical Examples
| Situation | Best Phrase |
|---|---|
| Meeting currently happening | In progress |
| Construction currently happening | In progress |
| Project being worked on | In progress |
| Investigation underway | In progress |
| Application moving through review | In process |
| Insurance claim moving through system | In process |
| Order being processed | In process / being processed |
| Manufacturing inventory unfinished | Work in process |
| Unfinished painting | Work in progress |
| Incomplete creative project | Work in progress |
“In Process” vs “In Progress” in Emails
Professional emails become clearer when you choose the phrase based on what is actually happening.
When Giving a Project Update
The redesign is currently in progress and should be completed by Friday.
When Giving an Application Update
Your application is currently in process and awaiting final review.
Even better:
Your application is currently being processed and is awaiting final review.
When Updating a Customer Order
Instead of:
Your order is still on process.
Write:
Your order is still being processed.
That is clearer and more natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it work in process or work in progress?
Both are correct. Work in progress is the normal general expression for unfinished work, while work in process is especially common in manufacturing and accounting for partially completed goods.
Is it better to say “in process” or “in progress”?
It depends on meaning. Use in progress for an ongoing activity and in process for something moving through a procedure or workflow.
Does “in process” need a hyphen?
Usually no. Write the application is in process. A hyphen may be used when the phrase appears before a noun as a compound modifier, such as in-process testing.
What is another way to say “in process”?
Depending on context, you can say being processed, under review, pending, being handled, under consideration, or moving through the system.
What can I say instead of “in progress”?
Good alternatives include underway, ongoing, being worked on, developing, active, and currently happening.
What is the difference between “in progress” and “on process”?
In progress is standard English for something currently happening. On process is generally incorrect when you mean something is being processed. Use in process or being processed instead.
What does it mean when you say “in progress”?
It means something has already begun and is currently happening or being worked on but has not yet finished.
Is process and progress the same thing?
No. A process is a series of steps used to achieve something. Progress is movement or advancement toward a result.
What does it mean when it’s in process?
It generally means the item has entered a procedure, workflow, or system and has not yet completed all required stages.
Final Answer
The easiest way to remember “in process” vs “in progress” is:
Use “in progress” when something is happening.
Use “in process” when something is moving through a procedure.
So:
- A meeting is in progress.
- Construction is in progress.
- A project is in progress.
- An application may be in process.
- An insurance claim may be in process.
- A factory may have work in process.
- A painting can be a work in progress.
And if you are choosing between on process, on progress, under progress, and the standard expressions, English mercifully gives you two reliable options: in process and in progress.
