If you have ever written about a project, product, building, website, software program, film, or new idea, you may have wondered whether to say “in development” or “under development.”
Both expressions are correct. The confusion comes from the fact that they often describe the same general situation: something is being developed and is not yet finished.
However, they are not always equally natural.
“In development” usually presents development as a stage or process. It tells the reader that something is currently at the development stage.
“Under development” usually emphasizes that something is actively being developed, worked on, or constructed.
So, the choice depends on what you want to emphasize.
Quick Answer
In development and under development are both grammatically correct.
Use in development when you are describing something as being at the development stage:
The new software is still in development.
Use under development when you want to emphasize that something is currently being developed or worked on:
The new software is under development.
In many technology, business, and creative contexts, in development sounds more natural and concise.
In Development or Under Development: The Basic Difference
The easiest way to understand the distinction is to think about stage versus activity.
In development
In development describes a condition or stage.
Something is in development when it has entered the process of being developed but has not reached its final form.
For example:
The mobile app is in development.
This tells us that the app is currently at the development stage.
It does not necessarily focus on who is doing the work or exactly what work is taking place.
Under development
Under development places more emphasis on the fact that something is being developed.
For example:
The mobile app is under development.
This can suggest an active process in which developers are working on the app.
The practical difference is often small, which is why native speakers sometimes use the expressions interchangeably.
Why Are These Expressions So Easy to Confuse?
The two phrases contain different prepositions, but both prepositions can naturally describe a state.
Compare:
- in development
- under development
The word in often indicates that something is within a particular stage, condition, or process.
The word under can indicate that something is subject to an ongoing process, activity, treatment, or control.
This pattern appears in many other English expressions:
- In Development or Under Development
- in production
- in preparation
- In Development or Under Development
- under review
- under consideration
- In Development or Under Development
Because development itself can refer both to a process and a stage, both constructions work naturally.
What Does “In Development” Mean?
Definition
In development means that something is currently being developed and has not yet reached its finished or final state.
It commonly describes:
- In Development or Under Development
- apps
- websites
- products
- films
- In Development or Under Development
- games
- business projects
- technologies
- educational programs
- In Development or Under Development
- new services
For example:
The company has a new product in development.
The phrase tells us that the product is being developed but is not yet ready for release.
Grammar of “In Development”
In development is a prepositional phrase.
The structure is:
subject + be + in development
Examples:
The project is in development.
Three new products are in development.
The game was in development for several years.
The next version is currently in development.
The phrase does not need an article before development in this usage.
We normally say:
The software is in development.
Not:
The software is in the development.
However, the development can be correct when development refers to a specific development process or project:
The team played an important role in the development of the software.
That is a different grammatical structure.
When Should You Use “In Development”?
When describing a development stage
This is one of the most common uses.
The new product is in development.
The meaning is essentially:
The product has not been completed and is currently being developed.
When discussing future products
“In development” is particularly common in business and entertainment.
The studio has several films in development.
The company has a new electric vehicle in development.
A new game is currently in development.
This usage focuses on the status of the product rather than the physical work being performed.
In technology
“In development” is extremely natural in software and technology.
The feature is still in development.
The new platform is in development.
This version is currently in development.
It can also describe software that is not yet ready for general release.
The application is still in development and may contain errors.
“In Development” in Professional Writing
Business writing
“In development” works well in reports, presentations, product announcements, and business communication.
A new customer service platform is currently in development.
Several strategic initiatives are in development.
Technical writing
The phrase is common in software documentation and technical discussions.
The API is currently in development.
This feature remains in development.
Creative industries
Films, television programs, games, books, and other creative projects are frequently described as being in development.
The sequel is reportedly in development.
A new television series is in development.
Here, the phrase often describes a project that has been planned or started but has not yet entered its final production stage.
What Does “Under Development” Mean?
Definition
Under development means that something is currently being developed, improved, created, or constructed.
The expression highlights the fact that an ongoing development process is taking place.
For example:
The new website is under development.
This means that people are currently working on developing the website.
Grammar of “Under Development”
Like in development, under development is a prepositional phrase.
Common structures include:
The project is under development.
The road is under development.
The system is currently under development.
Several properties are under development.
The phrase usually follows a form of be.
When Should You Use “Under Development”?
When emphasizing active work
Use under development when you want the reader to focus on the ongoing work.
The new website is under development.
This can naturally suggest that developers are actively working on it.
For construction and physical projects
“Under development” is especially useful for land, property, infrastructure, and large physical projects.
The area is currently under development.
Several new housing projects are under development.
The site is under development.
In these contexts, under development can sound more natural than in development.
When something is not yet complete
The phrase can also emphasize unfinished work.
The system is still under development.
The technology remains under development.
The word still often makes the unfinished status especially clear.
In Development vs Under Development: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | In Development | Under Development |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | At the development stage | Currently being developed |
| Grammar | Prepositional phrase | Prepositional phrase |
| Main emphasis | Stage or status | Ongoing activity |
| Common with software | Very common | Also common |
| Common with products | Very common | Common |
| Common with films | Very common | Possible |
| Common with buildings | Possible | Very common |
| Common with land | Less common | Very common |
| Business writing | Natural | Natural |
| Technical writing | Very natural | Natural |
| Informality | Neutral | Neutral |
| Formality | Neutral/formal | Neutral/formal |
| Meaning difference | Usually subtle | Usually subtle |
| Always interchangeable? | No | No |
| General recommendation | Often the more concise choice | Best when active development is emphasized |
Key Differences Between “In Development” and “Under Development”
The distinction is not a strict grammar rule. It is mainly a difference in emphasis and natural usage.
“In development” focuses on status
When you say something is in development, you are often telling the reader where it stands in its life cycle.
Think:
“It is at the development stage.”
Example:
The new operating system is in development.
The important information is its current status.
“Under development” focuses on the process
When you say something is under development, you can place more emphasis on the fact that development is actively happening.
Think:
“Someone is developing it.”
Example:
The new operating system is under development.
The meaning remains close, but the ongoing activity becomes more noticeable.
Which One Sounds More Natural?
There is no universal winner.
However, in development is often the better choice when discussing products, software, films, games, technologies, and projects.
For example:
A new version of the app is in development.
This sounds concise and natural.
Under development is particularly useful when talking about construction, property, land, infrastructure, or something actively being worked on.
For example:
The neighborhood is currently under development.
That sounds completely natural because physical development is taking place.
A Simple Rule
Use:
in development → development as a stage
under development → development as an active process
This is not an absolute rule, but it is a useful guide.
Is “In Development” More Formal?
Not necessarily.
Both expressions are standard English and can appear in professional writing.
However, in development often feels slightly more modern and compact in technology, entertainment, and business contexts.
Compare:
The product is in development.
The product is under development.
Both are professional.
The first simply sounds more like a status label.
This is why you may see phrases such as:
- In Development or Under Development
- software in development
- game in development
- film in development
- In Development or Under Development
Is “Under Development” More Formal?
No. Under development is not inherently more formal than in development.
It is simply a different construction.
It can appear in:
- In Development or Under Development
- planning documents
- property descriptions
- In Development or Under Development
- government documents
- engineering writing
- In Development or Under Development
For example:
The new highway is currently under development.
That sentence is perfectly professional.
Can You Use “In Development” for Buildings?
Yes, but context matters.
You can say:
The project is in development.
This treats the project as a development project or stage.
You can also say:
The property is under development.
This emphasizes the actual development work taking place on the property.
For a physical site, under development is often the more natural choice.
Can You Use “Under Development” for Software?
Yes.
The software is under development.
This is grammatically correct.
However, in many modern technology contexts, in development sounds more concise:
The software is in development.
The choice often depends on the writer’s preferred style and what aspect they want to emphasize.
Can You Use Both in the Same Sentence?
Sometimes, but there is usually no reason to.
For example:
The application is in development and is currently under development.
This is grammatically possible but unnecessarily repetitive.
Both phrases communicate essentially the same basic fact.
A cleaner sentence would be:
The application is in development.
Or:
The application is under development.
Choose the expression that best matches your intended emphasis.
Grammar: Why “In Development” Works
“Development” is a noun
In these expressions, development functions as a noun.
It refers to the process or stage of developing something.
Examples:
The project is in development.
The project is under development.
The phrases are not verb forms.
“In” is a preposition
In in development, the preposition in introduces the state or stage.
Compare:
in progress
in production
In Development or Under Development
in development
The construction suggests that something is currently within a particular process or stage.
“Under” is a preposition
In under development, under introduces the condition of being subject to an ongoing process.
Compare:
under construction
In Development or Under Development
under investigation
under consideration
under development
This helps explain why under development can sound particularly natural when active work is being emphasized.
Tense and “In Development”
The phrase can work with several tenses.
Present
The product is in development.
Past
In Development or Under Development
Future
The product will be in development for several more months.
Present perfect
The product has been in development since January.
The same pattern works with under development:
The product is under development.
The product was under development last year.
The product will be under development for several more months.
The product has been under development since January.
Articles: “In Development” vs “In the Development”
This is an important distinction.
When you mean that something is currently being developed, the normal expression is:
The app is in development.
Not:
The app is in the development.
However, the development is correct when a specific development is being discussed.
For example:
The company invested heavily in the development of the app.
Here, the development refers to the particular process of developing the app.
The two structures have different grammatical functions.
Common Collocations With “In Development”
Some combinations sound especially natural.
Technology
- In Development or Under Development
- technology in development
- In Development or Under Development
- feature in development
- In Development or Under Development
Entertainment
- film in development
- In Development or Under Development
- series in development
- game in development
- In Development or Under Development
Business
- In Development or Under Development
- service in development
- project in development
- In Development or Under Development
These collocations are useful because they show how native speakers naturally use the phrase.
Common Collocations With “Under Development”
Construction and property
- In Development or Under Development
- property under development
- site under development
- area under development
- In Development or Under Development
Technology
- In Development or Under Development
- system under development
- platform under development
- In Development or Under Development
Infrastructure
- road under development
- In Development or Under Development
- project under development
20 Real-Life Examples
Everyday Conversation
1.
Is the new app ready yet?
No, it’s still in development.
2.
What’s happening with the new website?
It’s under development right now.
3.
Have they released the new game?
Not yet. It’s still in development.
Business
4.
The company has a new customer service platform in development.
5.
Several new products are currently in development.
6.
The proposed office complex is under development.
Professional Writing
7.
A revised version of the software is currently in development.
8.
The project remains under development and is not ready for public use.
9.
The team has several innovative solutions in development.
Academic Writing
10.
Several new approaches to the problem are currently in development.
11.
The proposed research framework remains under development.
Technology
12.
The new security feature is still in development.
13.
The operating system is currently under development.
14.
The developers have a faster version in development.
Construction and Property
15.
The residential area is currently under development.
16.
Several commercial properties are under development.
17.
The land is under development and will eventually contain new housing.
18.
Thank you for your feedback. The updated system is currently in development, and we expect to test it soon.
Social Media
19.
Our new website is in development! More updates coming soon.
Text Message
20.
The feature isn’t available yet. It’s still under development.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating one phrase as incorrect
Some writers believe that only one of these expressions is grammatically correct.
That is not true.
Both in development and under development are legitimate English expressions.
The issue is usually context and emphasis, not basic grammatical correctness.
Mistake 2: Adding “the” unnecessarily
Incorrect for the intended meaning:
The app is in the development.
Better:
The app is in development.
Mistake 3: Using “in developing”
Incorrect:
The new system is in developing.
Better:
The new system is in development.
Or:
The team is developing the new system.
Development is the noun; developing is the present participle.
Mistake 4: Saying “under developing”
Incorrect:
The website is under developing.
Better:
The website is under development.
Or:
The team is developing the website.
Mistake 5: Using “in development” when you mean construction
This sentence is possible:
The building is in development.
But if you want to emphasize physical construction, a more natural choice may be:
The building is under development.
Or, depending on the exact situation:
The building is under construction.
“Under Development” vs “Under Construction”
These phrases are related but not identical.
Under construction specifically suggests that physical construction is taking place.
The bridge is under construction.
Under development is broader.
It can describe planning, construction, improvement, or creation.
The area is under development.
A development project may include much more than construction.
Therefore, do not automatically replace under development with under construction.
“In Development” vs “In Progress”
These expressions also overlap, but they are not exact synonyms.
In progress means that something has started and is currently happening.
The meeting is in progress.
In development specifically relates to the process of developing something.
The new system is in development.
You cannot normally replace one with the other without changing the meaning.
“In Development” vs “Being Developed”
These can be very close in meaning.
The new product is in development.
The new product is being developed.
The first describes the product’s stage or status.
The second uses a passive construction to emphasize the action being performed on the product.
This is one reason under development can sometimes feel similar to being developed.
“In Development” vs “In the Development of”
These are completely different constructions.
In development
The product is in development.
Meaning: the product is currently being developed.
In the development of
She helped in the development of the product.
Meaning: she participated in the process of developing the product.
Do not confuse these structures.
Which Phrase Should You Use in Business English?
For most business contexts, both are acceptable.
However, choose based on the message.
Choose “in development” for status updates
The new service is in development.
This is concise and professional.
Choose “under development” for active work
The new service is under development.
This puts slightly more attention on the ongoing development process.
For a product roadmap, in development often works especially well:
Planned → In Development → Testing → Released
Which Phrase Should You Use in Academic Writing?
Both can work in academic writing.
“In development” is useful when discussing a method, theory, system, or framework that has not yet reached its final form.
The model is still in development.
“Under development” can be useful when describing a framework or method that researchers are actively creating or refining.
A new framework is currently under development.
Academic writers should choose the phrase that best expresses the intended meaning rather than following an imaginary rule that says one is always correct.
Which Phrase Should You Use in American English?
Both are used in American English.
There is no major American-English rule that makes one grammatically correct and the other incorrect.
The same is broadly true of British English.
Regional differences are much less important here than context, industry, and individual style.
Is One More Common?
Frequency can vary greatly by context.
In development is especially common when describing:
- In Development or Under Development
- films
- games
- software
- In Development or Under Development
- services
- projects
Under development is particularly comfortable when describing:
- land
- In Development or Under Development
- property
- infrastructure
- construction-related projects
- In Development or Under Development
So instead of asking, “Which phrase is always more common?”, ask:
“What am I describing, and what do I want to emphasize?”
That question leads to a better choice.
Memory Trick
Use this simple mental shortcut:
IN = stage
Think:
in development = at the development stage
And:
UNDER = activity
Think:
under development = actively being developed
This will not solve every possible sentence, but it is an excellent starting point.
Another useful comparison is:
in progress → in development
under construction → under development
These associations make the distinction easier to remember.
Quick Decision Guide
When you are unsure, follow these steps.
Choose “in development” when:
- In Development or Under Development
- You are discussing software or technology.
- You are talking about a film, game, or creative project.
- In Development or Under Development
- You mean that something is at the development stage.
Choose “under development” when:
- In Development or Under Development
- You are describing land or property.
- You are discussing a physical development project.
- You want to emphasize that work is currently taking place.
- In Development or Under Development
FAQs
Is “in development” grammatically correct?
Yes. In development is a standard and grammatically correct English expression. It means that something is currently at the development stage.
Is “under development” grammatically correct?
Yes. Under development is also grammatically correct. It usually emphasizes that something is currently being developed or worked on.
Are “in development” and “under development” interchangeable?
Sometimes, but not always. They overlap strongly, but in development often emphasizes status, while under development can emphasize an active process.
Which is better: “in development” or “under development”?
Neither is universally better. For software, products, games, and films, in development is often a natural choice. For property, land, and physical development projects, under development is often especially natural.
Should I say “in the development”?
Usually not when describing something currently being developed.
Say:
The app is in development.
But use the development when referring to a specific development process:
We contributed to the development of the app.
Can I say “the project is under development”?
Yes. The project is under development is grammatically correct and natural.
Can I say “the project is in development”?
Yes. The project is in development is also correct.
Is “in development” formal or informal?
It is neutral and works well in professional, technical, business, academic, and everyday contexts.
Is “under development” better for buildings?
Often, yes. When referring to a physical area, property, or construction-related project, under development can sound particularly natural because it emphasizes ongoing development work.
Conclusion
In development and under development are both correct English.
The difference is mainly one of emphasis and context.
Use “in development” when you mean:
Something is at the development stage.
Examples:
The new app is in development.
A sequel is in development.
The company has a new product in development.
This is often the best choice for software, products, films, games, technologies, and creative projects.
Use “under development” when you mean:
Something is actively being developed.
Examples:
The new website is under development.
The property is under development.
The area is currently under development.
This is especially useful for physical development, property, land, infrastructure, and situations where active work is the main point.
Best rule to remember: “In development” emphasizes the stage; “under development” emphasizes the ongoing work.
Neither expression is an error. The most natural choice depends on what you are describing and what you want the reader to notice.
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.