English learners often see the phrases “in development” and “under development” in websites, news reports, business documents, software updates, and everyday conversations.
At first, they seem to mean exactly the same thing. Both can describe something that is being created, improved, or worked on.
That is why many students are unsure which phrase sounds correct in a particular sentence.
The good news is that the difference is not difficult once you understand the small change in meaning and usage.
In development usually describes something that is in the process of being developed. It is common when talking about products, ideas, software, projects, medicines, and other things that are still being created or improved.
Under development also means that something is being developed, but it often puts more attention on the fact that work or development is currently happening.
You will also notice that these phrases are not always interchangeable. In some sentences, one sounds much more natural than the other.
Understanding this difference can help you write better English and avoid common mistakes such as using the wrong preposition or treating “development” like a verb.
Once you learn the basic pattern, you will start recognizing the correct phrase naturally in real English.
What Does “In Development” Mean?
In development means that something is currently being created, designed, improved, or prepared. It has not reached its final form yet.
The word development is a noun. The preposition in shows the state or stage that something is currently in.
A simple way to understand it is:
in development = currently being developed
This phrase is especially common when talking about technology, software, products, plans, projects, games, films, and new ideas.
For example:
- The new app is in development.
- The company has a new product in development.
- The game is still in development.
- A new version of the website is in development.
- The project has been in development for two years.
- The team is working on several products in development.
- The film is currently in development.
- A new treatment is in development.
Notice that in development does not necessarily tell us exactly what work is being done. It simply tells us that the thing has not been completed and is still going through the development process.
When Should You Use “In Development”?
Use in development when you want to describe the stage or status of something.
For example:
The new software is in development.
This tells us that the software is not finished yet.
You can also use it after a noun:
We have three new products in development.
Here, “in development” describes the products and tells us that they are being worked on.
It is also common in professional and technical English:
The next generation of electric cars is still in development.
The phrase sounds natural because the cars are at a stage where engineers are still designing, testing, and improving them.
A Common Learner Confusion
Some learners think in development means that something is physically located inside a place called “development.” It does not.
Here, in refers to a state, stage, or process.
Compare:
- The project is in development.
- The project is in the office.
In the first sentence, “in” describes a stage. In the second, it describes a physical location.
Another common mistake is using develop after “in”:
❌ The app is in develop.
✅ The app is in development.
“Develop” is a verb, while “development” is the noun needed after in.
What Does “Under Development” Mean?
Under development also means that something is currently being developed, created, built, or improved.
The word under suggests that something is subject to an ongoing process or activity.
A simple meaning is:
under development = currently being developed or worked on
For example:
- The new bridge is under development.
- The website is under development.
- The housing project is under development.
- Several new features are under development.
- The software is currently under development.
- A new shopping center is under development.
- The road is under development.
- The plan is still under development.
The phrase can be used for both physical and non-physical things, although some contexts make it sound more natural than others.
When Should You Use “Under Development”?
Under development is useful when you want to emphasize that a development process is actively taking place.
For example:
The new airport is under development.
This gives the idea that construction or development work is currently underway.
It is also common on websites:
This page is currently under development.
That tells visitors that the page is not finished yet.
You may also see signs such as:
Road under development
or:
Area under development
In these cases, under development highlights the ongoing work.
Examples of “Under Development”
Here are some natural examples:
- The new website is under development.
- A large residential project is under development near the city.
- The new software feature is under development.
- Several roads are under development in the region.
- The building is still under development.
- A new business district is under development.
- The project remains under development.
- The company has several new products under development.
One important point is that under development is not always the most natural phrase for every situation. Native speakers often prefer in development when discussing the stage of a product, idea, film, game, or software.
For example:
The new game is in development.
sounds very natural.
“Under development” is possible, but it can sound more formal or process-focused.
Difference Between In Development and Under Development
The two phrases are very close in meaning. In many situations, both can describe something that is not finished and is still being developed.
However, there is a useful difference in emphasis.
In development usually focuses on the stage or status of something.
Under development often focuses more on the ongoing work or process affecting something.
Comparison Table
| Point | In Development | Under Development |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | Being developed | Being developed |
| Main idea | A stage or status | An ongoing process |
| Common use | Products, software, games, ideas, projects | Projects, buildings, roads, websites, areas |
| Tone | Natural and common | Often more formal or process-focused |
| Focus | The thing’s development stage | The development work happening |
| Example | The game is in development. | The building is under development. |
1. “In Development” Describes a Stage
Think about a project moving through different stages:
idea → planning → development → testing → completion
If something is in development, it is currently at the development stage.
For example:
The new game is in development.
The sentence tells us the game’s current status.
2. “Under Development” Emphasizes Activity
When you say:
The new shopping center is under development.
the phrase can give more attention to the work happening on the shopping center.
You can imagine construction workers, engineers, designers, or developers actively working on it.
3. Both Can Sometimes Work
Some sentences can naturally use either phrase:
The website is in development.
The website is under development.
Both mean that the website is not finished.
The first sentence sounds especially natural when discussing the website’s development status.
The second can emphasize that development work is currently taking place.
4. Context Matters
Consider these examples:
The new video game is in development.
This is very natural.
Now consider:
A new highway is under development.
This is also natural, particularly when talking about construction or a large infrastructure project.
You could say:
A new highway is in development.
It is grammatically understandable, but under development may sound more natural when the focus is on physical construction.
Sentence Structure
Both phrases can follow the verb be:
The project is in development.
The project is under development.
They can also be used with other forms of “be”:
The projects are in development.
The projects are under development.
The website was in development.
The website was under development.
The new features will be in development soon.
The exact choice depends on what you want to emphasize.
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
Rule 1: Use “Development,” Not “Develop”
After in or under in these expressions, use the noun development.
❌ The software is in develop.
✅ The software is in development.
❌ The building is under develop.
✅ The building is under development.
Remember:
develop = verb
development = noun
Rule 2: “In Development” Often Describes Status
Use in development when you are talking about something’s current development stage.
For example:
The new phone is still in development.
The important information is that the phone has not been completed.
Another example:
Our new online course is in development.
The course is being prepared, but it is not ready yet.
Rule 3: “Under Development” Can Highlight Ongoing Work
Use under development when you want to emphasize that something is currently being worked on or developed.
For example:
The new hospital is under development.
The sentence suggests that development work is actively happening.
You might also see:
This website is currently under development.
This is especially common as a notice to website visitors.
Rule 4: “Still” Is Often Used With Both Phrases
Because both expressions can describe an unfinished process, still is very common with them.
Examples:
The app is still in development.
The building is still under development.
The project is still in development.
The new system is still under development.
“Still” makes it clear that the process has not finished.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Many mistakes happen because learners translate these phrases directly from their first language. English prepositions do not always follow the same logic as prepositions in other languages.
Mistake 1: Using “in develop”
❌ The new app is in develop.
This is incorrect because develop is a verb.
Correct:
✅ The new app is in development.
A useful tip is to remember the pair:
develop → development
Mistake 2: Saying “on development”
Learners sometimes use on development because English commonly uses “on” with activities such as “working on.”
For example:
We are working on the app.
But when you use the noun phrase, say:
The app is in development.
Not:
❌ The app is on development.
Mistake 3: Thinking “under development” Is Always Better
Some students learn the phrase “under development” and start using it everywhere.
For example:
My new English course is under development.
This is understandable, but:
My new English course is in development.
may sound more natural when you are simply describing its current stage.
Do not assume that under development is more correct. Both phrases have legitimate uses.
Mistake 4: Confusing “In Development” With “Developing”
These expressions are related, but their grammar is different.
The project is in development.
Here, “development” is a noun.
The company is developing a new project.
Here, “developing” is a verb form.
Both can express an ongoing process, but they have different sentence structures.
Mistake 5: Forgetting the Verb “Be”
When used as a phrase describing a current state, you normally need a suitable form of be.
❌ The website in development.
✅ The website is in development.
❌ The building under development.
✅ The building is under development.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here is a simple memory trick:
Think: “IN = stage, UNDER = work”
When you see in development, think:
What stage is it in?
When you see under development, think:
What is currently being worked on?
For example:
The game is in development.
Think: “The game is at the development stage.”
The new road is under development.
Think: “Workers are developing or building the road.”
This is not an absolute rule. Native English speakers can use the two expressions in overlapping situations. It is simply an easy way to understand their usual emphasis.
Another useful memory trick is to imagine a project as a journey.
If you are describing where the project is in its journey, use in development.
If you are describing the work happening to the project, under development may fit well.
Daily Life Examples
These phrases appear in many areas of real life. Here are some simple examples that sound natural in conversation and writing.
Example 1: Talking About an App
A: Is the new app ready?
B: Not yet. It is still in development.
Here, “in development” tells us that the app is not finished.
Example 2: Talking About a Website
The new shopping website is under development, so some pages may not work yet.
This sounds natural when explaining that website work is still happening.
Example 3: Talking About a Video Game
The company announced that a new game is in development.
This is a very common use of the phrase.
Example 4: Talking About a Building
There is a new apartment complex under development near my house.
Here, the focus is on construction and development work.
Example 5: Talking About a Product
The company has several new products in development.
The products are being designed and prepared.
Example 6: Talking About Software
The new security feature is still in development.
This means developers have not finished it yet.
Example 7: Talking About a Road
The road is under development, so we have to take another route.
The sentence focuses on ongoing work on the road.
Example 8: Talking About a Business Project
Our new business plan is still in development.
The plan is being created or improved.
Example 9: Talking About a Website Page
Sorry, that page is currently under development.
This is a common message visitors may see on a website.
Example 10: Talking About Future Technology
Several new technologies are currently in development.
The technologies are still being researched, designed, or tested.
Practice Section
Choose in development or under development in each sentence.
1. The new mobile game is still ________.
2. A large shopping center is ________ near our town.
3. The company has three new products ________.
4. This website is currently ________, so some features are unavailable.
5. The new software system is still ________.
Answers
- in development
- under development
- in development
- under development
- in development
Remember that some sentences can accept both expressions depending on context. The answers above show the choices that sound especially natural for the intended meaning.
FAQs
What is the difference between “in development” and “under development”?
Both mean that something is being developed and is not finished yet. In development often describes the current stage or status of a project, product, or idea. Under development can place more emphasis on the ongoing work or development process.
Can we use “in development” in questions?
Yes. You can easily use it in questions.
For example:
Is the new app still in development?
How long has the project been in development?
These questions are grammatically correct and common.
Can we use “under development” in questions?
Yes. For example:
Is the new building under development?
Which parts of the website are under development?
The phrase works naturally in questions when you are asking whether something is currently being worked on.
Is “in development” formal or informal?
In development is neutral and widely used. You can find it in everyday speech, business English, technology writing, news, and professional communication. It is neither strongly formal nor strongly informal.
Is “under development” correct English?
Yes, under development is correct English. It is commonly used for projects, construction, websites, systems, and other things that are being developed. In some contexts, however, in development may sound more natural.
Which is more common: “in development” or “under development”?
It depends on the context. In development is very common when discussing the status of products, software, games, films, ideas, and technologies. Under development is also common, especially when the focus is on active development work, construction, or a project that is being worked on.
Conclusion
The difference between in development and under development is small, but understanding it can make your English sound much more natural.
Both phrases describe something that is not finished and is still being developed. The main difference is the focus.
In development usually describes the stage or status of something. For example, “The new app is in development” tells us that the app is currently being created or improved.
Under development can place more attention on the work or process taking place, as in “The new road is under development.”
You do not need to worry about memorizing dozens of complicated rules. Start by remembering this simple idea: in development = at the development stage, while under development = being worked on or developed.
Read examples, notice how native speakers use both phrases, and practice making your own sentences. With a little practice, choosing between them will become much easier.
Liam Derren is a language writer at GrammarLamp, creating simple, helpful content about grammar, words, and everyday English. He makes language learning clear, practical, and easy to understand.
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