working (work in) progress

Work in progress is the correct idiom: use "a work in progress" (noun) or "work-in-progress" (hyphenated) when the phrase modifies a noun. "Working progress" is a common but incorrect variant.

Quick answer

Prefer "a work in progress" or "in progress." Hyphenate as "work-in-progress" only before a noun.

a work in progress = the unfinished thing (noun).
in progress = the ongoing state.
work-in-progress = compound adjective before a noun (e.g., a work-in-progress prototype).

Core explanation: why "work" is the noun

"Work in progress" is built from noun + preposition + noun: work + in + progress. Using "working" tries to turn the participle into an adjective for "progress," which breaks the idiom and sounds awkward.

To name the unfinished product, use a work in progress.
To describe the state, use in progress or working on [something] if you mean the activity.

Grammar pointers: quick fixes you can apply now

If you spot "working" directly before "progress," replace the phrase using one of these patterns: a work in progress, in progress, or working on [noun].

Wrong: "working progress" →
Right: "a work in progress" or "in progress."
If you mean the action, write "working on the project" rather than "in working progress."
If the phrase modifies a noun that follows, hyphenate: "work-in-progress report."

Wrong: This is working progress.
Right: This is a work in progress.
Wrong: They're in working progress on the report.
Right: They're working on the report; it's a work in progress.

Hyphenation and spacing: when to write work-in-progress

Hyphenate only when the whole phrase acts as an adjective before a noun. Keep the phrase unhyphenated when it stands alone as a noun phrase.

work in progress (no hyphens) = noun phrase: "The draft is a work in progress."
work-in-progress (hyphens) = adjective before a noun: "a work-in-progress draft."

Quick test: move the phrase after the noun. If "the X is a work in progress" sounds natural, don't hyphenate; if you place it before a noun, hyphenate.

Wrong: We shipped a work in progress build.
Right: We shipped a work-in-progress build.
Usage: The build is still a work in progress.

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Real usage (work, school, casual)

Choose wording to match audience and tone. Below are natural examples for each context.

Work examples:
- The marketing plan is a work in progress; we'll present a draft on Monday.
- We deployed a work-in-progress feature behind a feature flag for testing.
- The Q3 roadmap is still in progress and may change after the kickoff.
School examples:
- My thesis is a work in progress; the methods chapter needs revision.
- The poster is a work in progress; we'll add the final charts tomorrow.
- Professor: Remember, drafts are works in progress until the final submission.
Casual examples:
- Hang on-my playlist is a work in progress; I'll finish organizing it tonight.
- Her tattoo sleeve is a work in progress; she has another session next week.
- That recipe is a work in progress-I still need to tweak the spices.

Try your own sentence

Test the phrase in context: insert "a" before the phrase or move it after the noun to check naturalness. Context usually makes the right choice clear.

Examples bank: concrete wrong → right pairs

Common mistakes come from mixing "working on" with "progress." Use these substitutions immediately.

Wrong: The project is still in working progress. -
Right: The project is still a work in progress.
Wrong: Our website is a working progress. -
Right: Our website is a work in progress.
Wrong: She's in working progress on her novel. -
Right: She's working on her novel; it's a work in progress.
Wrong: This is working progress. -
Right: This is a work in progress.
Wrong: We shipped a work in progress build. -
Right: We shipped a work-in-progress build.
Wrong: The repairs are in working progress. -
Right: The repairs are in progress.

Rewrite help: ready-to-use templates

Pick a template by formality and plug in your noun or date.

Formal: "The [project/plan/feature] is a work in progress and will be finalized by [date]."
Neutral: "The [project/plan/feature] is still in progress."
Casual: "It's a work in progress - I'll finish it soon."

Rewrite (formal): "The project is still in working progress." → "The project remains a work in progress and will be finalized by May 10."
Rewrite (neutral): "Working progress: website updates" → "Work in progress: Website updates" or "Website updates (work in progress)."
Rewrite (casual): "It's working progress" → "It's a work in progress" or "It's still in progress."

Memory trick and quick checks

Use these quick tests when typing fast.

Insert "a" before the phrase: if "a work in progress" reads naturally, use that noun form.
If you mean the action, ask "working on what?" and write "working on [noun]."
Move the phrase after the noun: if "the X is a work in progress" sounds right, don't hyphenate; otherwise hyphenate before the noun.

Quick test: "This is a ____" → "This is a work in progress" (correct).

Similar mistakes to watch for

These nearby errors are fixed the same way.

Wrong: "a progress" -
Right: drop the article: "progress" (We made progress).
Wrong: "work on progress" -
Right: "work in progress" or "working on the project."
Wrong: using "progressing" where "in progress" fits -
Right: "The project is in progress" (state) or "The project is progressing" (verb describing change).

Wrong: We're doing work on progress. -
Right: We're working on the project; it's a work in progress.
Wrong: The design is a progress. -
Right: The design is in progress.

FAQ

Is it "work in progress" or "working progress"?

The standard form is "work in progress." Replace "working progress" with "a work in progress" or "in progress."

When should I hyphenate "work-in-progress"?

Hyphenate only when the phrase modifies a noun before it: "a work-in-progress prototype." Do not hyphenate when it stands alone: "The prototype is a work in progress."

Can I say "in progress" by itself?

Yes. Use "in progress" to describe the ongoing state ("Repairs are in progress"). Use "a work in progress" to emphasize the unfinished work itself.

How do I rewrite "The project is still in working progress" quickly?

Two quick fixes: "The project is still a work in progress" or "The project is still in progress." For a formal tone, add a deadline: "...will be finalized by [date]."

What's the easiest trick to avoid the mistake while typing fast?

Insert "a" before the phrase as a test. If "a work in progress" sounds natural, use that. If you mean the action, write "working on [noun]" instead.

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