In Process vs. In Progress: Meaning, Difference & Correct Usage

“In Process” vs “In Progress” creates a difference when choosing the right phrase. In progress describes an activity, project, event, or task happening now, while in process fits a procedure, workflow, or production stage.

 In ordinary American English, being processed often gives a clearer natural meaning for applications, emails, reports, and project updates. This distinction helps make communication in professional settings, project dashboards, and academic work more sharper and credible.

Quick Answer: In Process vs. In Progress

In progress is the better choice when you mean that something has started and is still happening.

The project is in progress.

Here, the sentence tells you that people are still working on the project.

In process can work when the context involves a particular process, procedure, workflow, or production stage.

The materials are in process.

This wording can make sense in a manufacturing setting where materials have entered a production process but haven’t become finished products.

For applications, payments, orders, and requests, being processed often communicates the idea more directly.

Your application is being processed.

Here’s the difference at a glance:

Expression	Main meaning	Typical use	Example
In progress	Happening or continuing	Projects, meetings, repairs, events	The meeting is in progress.
In process	Moving through a process or procedure	Workflows, operations, production	The materials are in process.
In-process	Related to an ongoing production process	Manufacturing and technical contexts	The product requires in-process testing.
Being processed	Someone or something is handling an item	Applications, payments, orders	Your payment is being processed.
In the process of	Currently carrying out an action	General and professional English	We are in the process of reviewing it.

The safest everyday rule is simple:

If something is happening, use “in progress.” If something is moving through a defined process, “in process” may fit.

What Does “In Progress” Mean?

In progress means that something has started but hasn’t finished yet. It focuses on an activity or situation that is currently happening.

Cambridge defines the phrase as something that is happening or being done now. Collins similarly explains that something in progress has started and continues.

You can use it for a wide range of activities:

• A project
• A meeting
• A repair
• An investigation
• Construction
• A discussion
• An assignment
• Research
• A software update
• An event
• A negotiation
• A training session

For example:

• The meeting is in progress.
• The repairs are in progress.
• The investigation is still in progress.
• Construction is in progress near the entrance.
• The software update is in progress.
• Her research is still in progress.

Notice what these examples have in common. Each sentence describes something that is underway.

That’s the heart of in progress.

Why “In Progress” Is So Common

The phrase works because progress naturally connects with movement toward completion.

A project begins.

Work continues.

The project eventually finishes.

While that work continues, the project is in progress.

The phrase doesn’t necessarily tell you how quickly something is moving. It only tells you that the activity has begun and remains unfinished.

That’s why you can say:

The investigation is in progress.

The investigation could be moving quickly or slowly. The phrase simply tells you that it hasn’t ended.

Common Uses of “In Progress”

Projects

The website redesign is in progress.

This is natural because a redesign is an activity that people carry out over time.

Meetings

The staff meeting is already in progress.

Here, in progress means the meeting has started and is continuing.

Repairs

Road repairs are in progress.

The phrase describes ongoing work.

Investigations

The investigation remains in progress.

This tells the reader that investigators haven’t completed their work.

Research

The study is still in progress.

Research often takes time. In progress clearly communicates that the work continues.

What Does “In Process” Mean?

In process can describe something that is going through a process or procedure. Its meaning becomes clearer when a specific system or sequence of steps exists.

However, there’s an important distinction here.

In process isn’t simply a fancy version of in progress. Replacing progress with process in every sentence can make your English sound unnatural.

For example:

The meeting is in progress.

This sounds normal.

The meeting is in process.

A reader can probably understand it. Still, it isn’t the natural everyday expression for an ongoing meeting.

The difference becomes more useful when you discuss manufacturing, administrative workflows, or defined procedures.

Where “In Process” Can Fit

You may encounter in process in contexts such as:

• Manufacturing
• Production
• Administrative procedures
• Internal workflows
• Operations
• Formal processing systems
• Technical environments
• Organizational procedures

For example:

The materials are in process.

In a manufacturing environment, this can refer to materials that have entered production but haven’t become finished goods.

This idea becomes even clearer with the related adjective in-process.

Merriam-Webster defines in-process as relating to goods that are in manufacture rather than raw materials or finished products.

That technical meaning explains why you may see expressions such as:

• in-process inspection
• in-process testing
• in-process materials
• in-process production
• in-process quality control

These aren’t simply alternative ways of saying in progress. They belong to a more specific technical vocabulary.

The Main Difference Between “In Process” and “In Progress”

The easiest way to understand in process vs. in progress is to look at what each phrase emphasizes.

“In Progress” Focuses on the Activity

In progress answers a question like:

What is happening right now?

Consider:

The renovation is in progress.

The sentence focuses on the renovation as ongoing work.

You don’t need to imagine a particular series of administrative stages. You simply know that the renovation has started and isn’t finished.

The same idea appears in:

The game is in progress.

The meeting is in progress.

The repairs are in progress.

The investigation is in progress.

The phrase works naturally because each noun represents an activity or event.

“In Process” Focuses on the Process

In process puts more attention on the procedure or system involved.

Consider:

The materials are in process.

The sentence can suggest that the materials have entered a production process.

In that context, the reader may think about stages such as:

Raw materials → Processing → Inspection → Assembly → Finished product

The materials occupy a position somewhere inside that sequence.

That’s different from simply saying that an activity is happening.

“Being Processed” Focuses on the Action

There’s another useful expression that often solves the problem:

being processed

Compare these sentences:

The application is in process.

The application is being processed.

The second version directly tells the reader that someone or some system is processing the application.

That makes it especially useful for customer-facing communication.

For example:

• Your application is being processed.
• Your payment is being processed.
• Your order is being processed.
• Your claim is being processed.
• Your request is being processed.

The wording is direct. The reader doesn’t have to guess what in process means in that particular system.

“In Process” vs. “In Progress” Side by Side

Feature	In Progress	In Process
Basic idea	Something is happening	Something is moving through a process
Main focus	Ongoing activity	Procedure or workflow
Everyday English	Very common	Less common
Projects	Natural	Often less natural
Meetings	Natural	Usually awkward
Repairs	Natural	Usually awkward
Manufacturing	Possible	More specialized
Administrative systems	Possible	Can fit
Production stages	Less specific	Often appropriate
Customer applications	Possible	Often better as “being processed”
General American English	Standard choice	Context-dependent

This table reveals the central point: the phrases overlap but aren’t interchangeable in every sentence.

When Should You Use “In Progress”?

Use in progress when an activity has started and continues.

A simple test can help:

Could you replace the phrase with “underway” or “happening now”?

If yes, in progress will often be a strong choice.

For example:

The construction is in progress.

You could also say:

The construction is underway.

The meaning remains very close.

Other useful examples include:

• The negotiations are in progress.
• The examination is in progress.
• The repairs are in progress.
• The project is in progress.
• The interview is in progress.
• The investigation is in progress.
• The update is in progress.

“In Progress” in Professional Writing

Professional communication frequently uses in progress because it provides a simple status.

A project dashboard might show:

Status: In Progress

This tells team members that the task has started but isn’t complete.

Likewise, a report might state:

The implementation is currently in progress.

A manager could write:

The system upgrade is in progress and should continue through Friday.

The phrase works because the reader cares about the current state of the work.

When Should You Use “In Process”?

Use in process more carefully.

It can work when the context specifically involves a defined process or system.

For example:

The components are in process at the manufacturing facility.

Here, the phrase points toward production activity.

Another example might appear in a specialized operational report:

Several units are currently in process.

The exact meaning depends on the organization’s established terminology.

This is important because in process isn’t equally natural in every industry or situation. Some companies may use it as a status label even when another organization would choose being processed or in progress.

Manufacturing: A Special Case

Manufacturing provides one of the clearest examples of the distinction.

A factory can have three broad categories:

Stage	Description
Raw materials	Items that haven’t entered production
In-process goods	Items currently being manufactured
Finished goods	Completed products ready for the next stage

Merriam-Webster specifically recognizes in-process as a technical adjective for goods in manufacture that are distinct from raw materials and finished products.

In-process inspection is required before assembly.

That isn’t simply a more technical way to say:

Inspection is in progress.

The first sentence identifies an inspection that occurs within a production process.

The second sentence simply says that an inspection is currently happening.

That’s a meaningful difference.

“In Process” vs. “Being Processed”

This distinction deserves special attention because these expressions often appear in workplace communication.

“In Process”

In process describes a status.

The request is in process.

The request has entered a process and hasn’t reached its final stage.

“Being Processed”

Being processed emphasizes the action.

The request is being processed.

Someone or something is actively handling the request.

For customer service writing, the second version is often clearer.

Consider a payment notification:

Your payment is being processed.

This tells the customer exactly what’s happening.

Now compare:

Your payment is in process.

The reader can understand it. However, it sounds more like a status label than a direct explanation.

A Practical Rule

When you can identify who or what is doing the processing, being processed often makes the sentence clearer.

For example:

The bank is processing your payment.

Or:

Your payment is being processed by the bank.

The active version is often even more direct:

The bank is processing your payment.

“In Progress” vs. “Underway”

Underway is one of the closest alternatives to in progress.

Compare:

The investigation is in progress.

The investigation is underway.

Both communicate that the investigation has begun and continues.

The choice often depends on sentence style.

In progress works especially well as a status phrase.

Underway can sound more dynamic because it emphasizes that something has started and is moving forward.

Other possible alternatives include:

• ongoing
• continuing
• underway
• happening
• being carried out
• being done

These alternatives aren’t perfect substitutes in every sentence. Context still matters.

“In Process” vs. “In Progress” in Professional Writing

The difference becomes especially useful at work.

Project Updates

For ordinary project work, choose in progress.

The website migration is in progress.

This sounds natural and immediately communicates the status.

Customer Service

For an application, payment, order, or claim, being processed often works better.

Your refund is being processed.

The sentence clearly describes what is happening.

Administrative Workflows

If an organization has a defined procedure, in process can appear as specialized terminology.

For example:

The request is currently in process.

However, if the audience isn’t familiar with the organization’s terminology, a clearer alternative may be:

The request is currently being reviewed.

Specific language usually beats vague status language.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing creates more legitimate opportunities for in-process.

For example:

The factory conducts in-process quality checks throughout production.

Here, the hyphenated adjective has a specific technical function.

Common Mistakes With “In Process” and “In Progress”

Mistake: Treating Them as Exact Synonyms

The two phrases overlap, but they don’t emphasize the same idea.

Better approach: Decide whether you’re describing an activity or a process.

Mistake: Saying “The Meeting Is in Process”

This isn’t usually the natural choice in ordinary American English.

Use:

The meeting is in progress.

Cambridge and other major dictionaries use in progress for activities such as meetings, repairs, games, and audits.

Mistake: Using “In Process” for Every Project

You may encounter:

The project is in process.

The meaning is understandable. Still, if you simply mean that people are working on the project, this is usually better:

The project is in progress.

Mistake: Confusing “In Process” With “Being Processed”

These phrases can describe related situations.

However, being processed directly emphasizes the action.

For example:

Your application is being processed.

This is usually clearer than:

Your application is in process.

Mistake: Assuming “In Process” Is Always Wrong

This goes too far in the other direction.

In process isn’t automatically incorrect.

Its use depends on context. Specialized industries and workflows can give the phrase a legitimate function.

The important question isn’t simply:

“Is this phrase allowed?”

Ask instead:

“Does this phrase accurately describe the situation?”

That question leads to better writing.

“In Process” vs. “In Progress” for Applications

Applications deserve a closer look because organizations use different status labels.

Imagine three application stages:

Submitted → Under Review → Decision

You could write:

Your application is in progress.

This broadly tells the applicant that the matter isn’t finished.

You could also write:

Your application is being processed.

This is more specific because it tells the reader that the organization is handling it.

You might see:

Your application is in process.

This can work as an organization’s internal status wording.

If clarity matters most, being processed or a specific status such as under review often gives the reader more useful information.

“In Process” vs. “In Progress” for Projects

Projects are much simpler.

If people are working on a project and the project isn’t finished, use:

The project is in progress.

For example:

The office renovation is in progress.

The software development project is in progress.

The research project is still in progress.

The phrase doesn’t imply that the project is moving through a formal administrative process.

It simply tells you that the work continues.

Can a Project Be “In Process”?

Yes. But context matters.

If a company uses in process as a formal workflow status, the expression may be perfectly meaningful inside that organization.

Still, for general readers, in progress is usually the clearer choice when you mean ongoing project work.

“Work in Progress” vs. “Work in Process”

This is another important distinction.

Work in Progress

Work in progress refers broadly to something that has started but isn’t finished.

Examples include:

• A novel
• A painting
• A software project
• A renovation
• A research paper
• A business plan

For example:

The new website is still a work in progress.

This phrase is widely understood.

Work in Process

Work in process has a more specialized meaning, especially in manufacturing and accounting contexts.

It can refer to partially completed goods that remain within production.

That means the distinction isn’t merely grammatical. It can describe different categories of unfinished work.

Think of it this way:

Work in progress → unfinished work in a broad sense.

Work in process → work or goods moving through a defined production process.

“In Process” and “In-Process”: Does the Hyphen Matter?

Yes.

The hyphen can change how the phrase functions.

In progress normally appears as a phrase:

The project is in progress.

In-process can function as a compound adjective:

The factory performs in-process inspections.

Here, in-process directly modifies inspections.

You can also see:

• in-process testing
• in-process controls
• in-process inspection
• in-process materials
• in-process production

Merriam-Webster recognizes in-process as an adjective with a specialized manufacturing meaning.The grammatical role matters.

Can “In Process” and “In Progress” Be Used Interchangeably?

Not reliably.

Sometimes either phrase may be understood. That doesn’t mean both choices sound equally natural.

Consider these examples:

Sentence	Best choice	Reason
The meeting is ___	in progress	A meeting is an ongoing event.
The repairs are ___	in progress	Repairs describe ongoing work.
The project is ___	in progress	The project is underway.
The game is ___	in progress	The event is happening now.
The materials are ___	in process	Manufacturing context can justify the term.
The payment is ___	being processed	The payment is undergoing processing.
The application is ___	being processed	The wording clearly describes administrative handling.
The inspection is ___	in progress	The inspection itself is happening now.
The product requires ___ testing	in-process	Technical manufacturing modifier.

The lesson is straightforward: don’t choose based only on the words “process” and “progress.” Choose based on the situation.

Case Study: Choosing the Right Phrase at Work

Imagine a company launching a new online ordering system.

Several things are happening at once.

The software project is in progress.

The payment department is handling a customer’s transaction:

The payment is being processed.

The manufacturing team has components somewhere in production:

The components are in process.

The components are undergoing in-process inspection.

Notice how four related expressions describe four different situations.

The language becomes clearer because each phrase has a specific job.

A Simple Decision Guide

When you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions.

Is an activity happening right now?

Use in progress.

The meeting is in progress.

Is something moving through a defined procedure?

In process may fit.

The materials are in process.

Is someone or something actively handling an item?

Use being processed.

The application is being processed.

Are you describing a technical manufacturing stage?

Consider in-process.

The factory performs in-process testing.

Are you describing an unfinished project or piece of work?

Use work in progress.

The report is still a work in progress.

This five-question test covers most everyday situations.

Quick Memory Trick

A simple mental shortcut can help:

Progress = activity moving forward.

Process = movement through steps.

Processed = something is being handled.

Think of a construction project.

The project is in progress.

The materials may be in process within production.

An order for those materials may be being processed.

Three expressions. Three slightly different ideas.

See also: Hola or Ola: Meaning, Difference, and Correct Usage

FAQs:

Is “in process” grammatically correct?

Yes. In process can be grammatically correct when the context supports its meaning. However, it isn’t the natural replacement for in progress in every sentence.

Is “in progress” the correct phrase?

Yes. In progress is the standard phrase for something that has started and is still happening. Major dictionaries define it with meanings such as “going on,” “underway,” and “happening.”

Should I say “the project is in process” or “the project is in progress”?

For most general writing, choose “the project is in progress.”

It clearly communicates that the project has started and remains unfinished.

Is “in process” formal English?

It can appear in formal and professional contexts. However, formality doesn’t automatically make it the best choice. In some contexts, being processed, under review, or in progress will be clearer.

Is “being processed” better than “in process”?

Often, yes, especially for applications, payments, orders, claims, and requests.

Your order is being processed.

This directly tells the reader what is happening.

Is “in progress” appropriate for applications?

It can be. However, being processed or a more specific status such as under review may provide greater clarity.

What is the difference between “in process” and “in-progress”?

In process is normally a phrase. In-progress can appear as a hyphenated compound modifier in some contexts. Meanwhile, in-process has a recognized technical adjective use, especially for manufacturing.

What is another word for “in progress”?

Depending on context, alternatives include:

• Underway
• Ongoing
• Continuing
• Happening
• Being carried out
• Being done

Don’t treat these as perfect substitutes. The surrounding sentence still matters.

Conclusion:

Understanding “In Process” vs “In Progress” helps you choose the right phrase for each situation. Use in progress for an activity, project, or task that is currently underway. Use in process when something is moving through a specific process, procedure, or workflow. Knowing this simple distinction can make your communication, emails, reports, and everyday conversations clearer and more natural.