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Prepositions with nouns

In progress or of progress?

The fixed expression is in progress. Of progress is only natural in longer noun phrases such as the rate of progress or signs of progress.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use in progress to mean that something is currently happening or being developed. Do not use of progress as a replacement for this expression. However, of progress can appear naturally when progress is the object of of in a larger phrase.

The repairs are in progress.
We discussed the rate of progress on the project.
Construction is still in progress.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
in progress

Showing that an activity is continuing

In progress is a fixed expression meaning ongoing or not yet finished.

The investigation is in progress.
Several applications are still in progress.
2
progress on + project/task

Talking about development in a specific area

Use progress on before the thing being developed or completed.

We made good progress on the report.
The team is making slow progress on the redesign.
3
signs of progress

Describing evidence of improvement

Of progress is natural when progress belongs inside a larger noun phrase.

Doctors saw clear signs of progress after treatment.
There has been little evidence of progress this month.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
in progress
The bridge is in progress.
The work has started and is continuing.
of progress
The report examined the pace of progress.
Used inside a larger noun phrase, not as a replacement for in progress.
progress on
She made progress on her thesis.
Improvement or advancement in a task.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of progress instead of in progress

Use in progress for ongoing activities.

✕ The repairs are of progress. ✓ The repairs are in progress.

Forgetting the noun before of progress

Of progress usually follows another noun such as signs, rate, or lack.

✕ The project is of progress. ✓ The project is in progress.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The meeting is still ___
2. We reviewed the rate ___ progress.
3. The team made good progress ___ the design.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of progress ever correct?

Yes. It is correct inside larger phrases such as signs of progress or rate of progress.

Can I say work is in progress?

Yes. Work in progress is a very common expression.

Does in progress always describe unfinished activity?

Yes. It refers to something that has started but is not complete yet.

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? in, at, on, of or to hand? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"?

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