Choosing the right preposition after progress can be surprisingly difficult.
Many English learners and even fluent speakers wonder whether they should say progress in, progress on, or progress of.
Since all three expressions are grammatically correct, the real challenge is knowing which one fits the context.
The confusion happens because each phrase connects progress to a different idea.
One refers to improvement in a field or skill, another focuses on work being done on a task or project, while the third describes the development or advancement of something.
Using the wrong preposition may not always make your sentence incorrect, but it can make it sound unnatural or less precise.
Whether you’re writing an academic paper, a business report, an email, or simply speaking in everyday conversation, understanding these differences will help you communicate more clearly.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact meaning of progress in, progress on, and progress of, when to use each one, common mistakes to avoid, and plenty of real-world examples to help you remember the difference.
Quick Answer
Progress in, progress on, and progress of are all correct, but they are not interchangeable.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Progress on refers to work completed on a specific task, project, assignment, or goal.
- Progress of refers to the development, advancement, or status of a person, project, event, or process.
Choose the preposition based on what the progress relates to, not simply because it sounds familiar.
Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of Comparison Table
| Feature | Progress In | Progress On | Progress Of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Meaning | Improvement within an area | Advancement on a task or project | Development or status of something |
| Part of Speech | Noun + Preposition | Noun + Preposition | Noun + Preposition |
| Most Common Use | Skills, subjects, abilities | Projects, work, assignments | People, projects, events, processes |
| Focus | Learning or improvement | Completing work | Overall development |
| Common Context | Education, career, research | Business, construction, planning | Reports, formal writing, news |
| Formality | Neutral | Neutral | Slightly more formal |
| Everyday English | Very common | Very common | Common in formal contexts |
| Business English | Frequently used | Frequently used | Frequently used |
| Academic Writing | Very common | Common | Very common |
| Professional Reports | Common | Very common | Very common |
| Sounds Natural With | English, science, technology, skills | Project, report, assignment, proposal | Patient, investigation, project, negotiations |
| Common Mistake | Using it for projects | Using it for skills | Using it instead of on for tasks |
| Best Question | Progress in what area? | Progress on what work? | Progress of what person or thing? |
| US English | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| UK English | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Progress In
Definition
Progress in means improvement, advancement, or development within a particular subject, field, skill, ability, or area of knowledge.
The emphasis is on becoming better at something rather than completing a specific task.
Origin
The preposition in has long been used to indicate an area, field, or domain. When combined with progress, it naturally points to improvement occurring within that area.
This pattern has remained consistent in both British and American English.
Meaning
Use progress in when talking about:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Education
- Skills
- Languages
- Technology
- Medicine
- Research
- Science
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Career growth
Think of progress in as answering the question:
“Improvement in which area?”
Grammar
Structure
Progress + in + noun
Examples:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- progress in English
- progress in science
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- progress in technology
This structure is accepted in formal writing, academic English, and everyday conversation.
Pronunciation
Progress /ˈprɑːɡrɛs/ (US)
Progress /ˈprəʊɡres/ (UK)
The pronunciation of the noun does not change when followed by in.
When to Use Progress In
Use progress in when discussing improvement in:
- A school subject
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- A professional skill
- Medical research
- Scientific discoveries
- Technology
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Personal growth
Professional Use
Business professionals often use progress in when discussing improvements in knowledge, systems, or performance.
Examples:
- We have made significant progress in leadership development.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Our team has made progress in data analysis.
Academic Use
In academic writing, progress in commonly refers to improvement within a discipline or research area.
Examples:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Researchers reported remarkable progress in cancer treatment.
- Students demonstrated progress in academic writing.
Everyday Use
Native speakers frequently use progress in for learning and personal improvement.
Examples:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- I’m finally seeing progress in my fitness.
- My son has made progress in reading.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
Examples of Progress In
- She has made excellent progress in mathematics.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- The students made rapid progress in English grammar.
- Scientists continue to make progress in renewable energy.
- He has shown great progress in public speaking.
- The company achieved progress in digital transformation.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- The athlete has made steady progress in strength training.
- They have made progress in solving communication problems.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
She made progress on English.
Why it sounds unnatural
English is a subject, not a project.
Correct
She made progress in English.
Incorrect
We made progress on mathematics.
Correct
We made progress in mathematics.
Incorrect
Researchers made progress on medicine.
Better
Researchers made progress in medicine.
or
Researchers made progress in medical research.
Tip
Use progress in whenever you’re talking about improvement inside a subject, field, skill, or area of knowledge.
Ask yourself:
“Am I becoming better at something?”
If the answer is yes, progress in is usually the correct choice.
Progress On
Definition
Progress on refers to the advancement or completion of work on a specific task, project, assignment, plan, or piece of work.
Unlike progress in, which focuses on improvement within a field or skill, progress on focuses on how much work has been completed.
Origin
The preposition on has long been used to indicate that work is being carried out on a particular task or object. As a result, progress on naturally developed to describe the status of ongoing work.
Today, it is one of the most common combinations in business English, project management, education, and everyday communication.
Meaning
Use progress on when talking about:
- Projects
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Reports
- Construction work
- Research projects
- Software development
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Presentations
- Homework
- Renovation work
Think of progress on as answering the question:
“How much work has been completed?”
Grammar
Structure
Progress + on + noun
Examples:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- progress on the report
- progress on construction
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- progress on the proposal
This structure is widely accepted in both spoken and written English.
Pronunciation
Progress /ˈprɑːɡrɛs/ (US)
Progress /ˈprəʊɡres/ (UK)
The pronunciation remains the same regardless of the preposition.
When to Use Progress On
Use progress on when discussing work being completed on a specific task or objective.
Common situations include:
- Office projects
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Building construction
- Software development
- Marketing campaigns
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- Business reports
- Engineering projects
Professional Use
Business professionals regularly use progress on when giving project updates.
Examples:
- We’ve made excellent progress on the new website.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- There has been significant progress on the construction project.
- Management requested an update on our progress on the proposal.
Academic Use
Students and teachers often use progress on when referring to assignments and coursework.
Examples:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- I’m making progress on my research paper.
- The students reported progress on their science project.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
Everyday Use
Native speakers frequently use progress on in daily conversations.
Examples:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- We’ve made good progress on the kitchen renovation.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- He’s making slow progress on fixing his car.
Examples of Progress On
- We’ve made excellent progress on the new office building.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- The engineers reported progress on the bridge.
- Our team has made progress on the software update.
- Have you made any progress on your assignment?
- They continue to make progress on the investigation.
- We’re making steady progress on the budget proposal.
- The workers made rapid progress on the road repairs.
- She has made little progress on her presentation.
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
I’m making progress in my project.
Why it sounds unnatural
A project is work being completed, not an area of study.
Correct
I’m making progress on my project.
Incorrect
We made progress in the report.
Better
We made progress on the report.
Incorrect
They’re making progress in the construction.
Correct
They’re making progress on the construction project.
Tip
Use progress on whenever you’re talking about a task with a clear beginning and an expected completion.
Ask yourself:
“Am I talking about completing work?”
If the answer is yes, choose progress on.
Progress Of
Definition
Progress of refers to the development, advancement, movement, or current status of a person, project, event, process, organization, or activity.
Instead of describing your own improvement or work being completed, it describes the progress belonging to someone or something.
Origin
The preposition of expresses possession or relationship. In the phrase progress of, it links progress to the person, object, or process being discussed.
Because of this, progress of is especially common in reports, journalism, academic writing, and formal communication.
Meaning
Use progress of when discussing:
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- A child’s development
- A project’s advancement
- Negotiations
- An investigation
- Economic growth
- A process
- A campaign
- A legal case
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
Think of progress of as answering the question:
“Whose or what progress are we describing?”
Grammar
Structure
Progress + of + noun
Examples:
- progress of the project
- progress of the negotiations
- progress of the investigation
- Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of
- progress of the experiment
This structure is especially common in formal English.
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of progress remains unchanged.
When to Use Progress Of
Use progress of when describing the overall development or current status of something.
Common situations include:
- Formal reports
- Government documents
- Medical updates
- Academic papers
- News reports
- Legal documents
- Project evaluations
- Research publications
Professional Use
Examples:
- The manager reviewed the progress of the project.
- Investors monitored the progress of the company.
- The board discussed the progress of the merger.
- We evaluated the progress of each department.
Academic Use
Examples:
- Researchers analyzed the progress of the experiment.
- The professor monitored the progress of every student.
- The report examined the progress of climate research.
- The study evaluated the progress of language acquisition.
Everyday Use
Although less common in casual conversation, native speakers still use it naturally.
Examples:
- The doctor is pleased with the progress of your recovery.
- Everyone admired the progress of the garden.
- We discussed the progress of the wedding plans.
- Parents are happy with the progress of their child.
Examples of Progress Of
- The teacher praised the progress of every student.
- We reviewed the progress of the negotiations.
- Doctors are satisfied with the progress of the treatment.
- The report summarizes the progress of the investigation.
- They monitored the progress of the construction project.
- The committee evaluated the progress of the reforms.
- Scientists discussed the progress of the study.
- The article described the progress of the rescue operation.
- Investors followed the progress of the startup.
- The board examined the progress of the strategic plan.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
We discussed the progress on every employee.
Correct
We discussed the progress of every employee.
Incorrect
The report explains progress on the investigation.
Better
The report explains the progress of the investigation.
Incorrect
The doctor checked progress on the patient.
Correct
The doctor checked the progress of the patient.
Tip
Use progress of when you’re describing the overall development or status of a person, project, event, or process, especially in formal writing.
Ask yourself:
“Am I describing someone’s or something’s development?”
If the answer is yes, progress of is often the best choice.
Key Differences Between Progress In, Progress On, and Progress Of
| Expression | Best Used For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Progress in | Improvement within a subject, skill, or field | She has made progress in English. |
| Progress on | Work completed on a task or project | We’ve made progress on the new website. |
| Progress of | Overall development or status of a person or thing | The manager reviewed the progress of the project. |
Grammar Explanation
Progress In
Use in to indicate an area, field, subject, or skill where improvement is taking place.
- Progress in mathematics
- Progress in research
- Progress in leadership
Progress On
Use on to indicate work performed on a specific task, assignment, or project.
- Progress on the proposal
- Progress on construction
- Progress on the presentation
Progress Of
Use of to indicate the development or current state of a person, organization, project, or process.
- Progress of the investigation
- Progress of the patient
- Progress of the negotiations
Style Guide Notes
Major English style guides and professional editors generally follow these usage patterns:
- Progress in for improvement within a field or discipline.
- Progress on for work completed on a task or project.
- Progress of for describing the development or status of someone or something.
These patterns are standard in both American English and British English, with no significant regional difference.
Real-Life Examples
Conversation
- A: How’s your progress in Spanish?
B: Much better. I can now hold a short conversation. - We’re making good progress on the house renovation.
- The doctor is happy with the progress of your recovery.
- She’s making excellent progress in learning to drive.
- Have you made any progress on your to-do list today?
- We’ve made significant progress on the client proposal and expect to finish it tomorrow.
- Thank you for your support. I’m pleased with my progress in the training program.
School
- The teacher praised Emily’s progress in mathematics.
- Our group has made good progress on the science project.
- The principal reviewed the progress of the school’s improvement plan.
Business
- The team reported steady progress on the new product launch.
- Our company has made remarkable progress in customer service.
- The board discussed the progress of the merger during today’s meeting.
Professional Writing
- The report outlines the progress of the research project.
- Engineers have made considerable progress on the bridge construction.
Academic Writing
- Scientists continue to make progress in renewable energy research.
- The paper evaluates the progress of language development in young children.
Social Media
- Feeling proud of my progress in fitness this year.
- Finally making real progress on my dream website!
Text Messages
- Any progress on the presentation?
- You’ve made amazing progress in your English.
Daily Speaking
- The patient’s progress of recovery has been encouraging. (Less natural)
Better:
The patient’s progress has been encouraging.
or
The doctor is pleased with the progress of the patient’s recovery.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1
Incorrect
I’m making progress in my project.
Why it’s wrong
A project is something you complete, not a field where you improve.
Correct
I’m making progress on my project.
Mistake 2
Incorrect
She has made progress on English.
Why it’s wrong
English is a subject or skill.
Correct
She has made progress in English.
Mistake 3
Incorrect
We discussed progress on the negotiations.
Better
We discussed the progress of the negotiations.
Mistake 4
Incorrect
Scientists made progress on medicine.
Better
Scientists made progress in medicine.
Mistake 5
Incorrect
The report shows progress in the construction project.
Better
The report shows progress on the construction project.
Mistake 6
Incorrect
The manager reviewed progress in the project.
Better
The manager reviewed the progress of the project.
Memory Tricks
Remember “IN = Inside”
If you’re improving inside a subject, skill, or field, use progress in.
- Progress in English
- Progress in science
- Progress in technology
Remember “ON = Ongoing Work”
If you’re working on a task that will eventually be finished, use progress on.
- Progress on the report
- Progress on the project
- Progress on the assignment
Remember “OF = Ownership”
If you’re describing the development or status of someone or something, use progress of.
- Progress of the patient
- Progress of the investigation
- Progress of the project
People Also Ask
Is “progress in” grammatically correct?
Yes. Progress in is the standard expression for improvement within a subject, skill, profession, or area of knowledge.
Is “progress on” correct?
Yes. Use progress on when talking about work completed on a project, assignment, report, or other task.
Is “progress of” correct?
Yes. Progress of is grammatically correct and is commonly used in formal English to describe the development or status of someone or something.
Can I use “progress in a project”?
Usually, progress on a project is more natural because a project is something you work on. Progress in a project may appear in limited contexts when referring to advancement within a specific phase or aspect of the project, but it is much less common.
Which is more common: “progress in” or “progress on”?
Neither is universally more common. Their frequency depends on the context:
- Progress in → subjects, skills, and fields.
- Progress on → projects, assignments, and tasks.
What’s the difference between “progress on” and “progress of”?
- Progress on describes work being completed.
- Progress of describes the overall development or current status of something.
For example:
- We’re making progress on the project.
- The manager reviewed the progress of the project.
Is there a difference between American and British English?
No. American English and British English follow the same usage patterns for progress in, progress on, and progress of.
Which expression should I use in formal writing?
All three are appropriate in formal writing when used correctly:
- Progress in for improvement within a field.
- Progress on for work completed on a task.
- Progress of for describing development or status.
Canclusion
There isn’t a single “correct” choice between Progress In vs Progress On vs Progress Of because each expression serves a different purpose.
Choose progress in when you’re talking about improvement in a subject, skill, profession, or area of knowledge.
Choose progress on when you’re referring to work completed on a project, assignment, report, or any other task with a clear goal.
Choose progress of when you’re describing the development, advancement, or current status of a person, project, process, organization, or event, especially in formal or professional writing.
Using the right preposition makes your writing more precise, natural, and professional.
Once you remember the simple pattern—in for improvement, on for tasks, and of for development—you’ll rarely choose the wrong one.
I am Julian Brooks, an English language enthusiast and content writer at EnglishAcademy. I create clear grammar lessons, vocabulary guides, and writing tips to help learners improve their English with confidence every day.