Sometimes, in personal or professional communications, you want to avoid saying something as flat as “not started” for a variety of reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps you wish to sound more eloquent, optimistic, or even to provide a more nuanced explanation of the status of a task or project. Whatever your reason, the following list is divided into categories for you to find the perfect phrase or word for different situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you want to convey that groundwork is being laid but the main action hasn’t commenced, these expressions can be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/em> The community project is still in the pipeline; we’re gathering the necessary permissions. Example:<\/em> Our new software update is in the works and should be launched soon. Example:<\/em> The marketing campaign is in pre-launch; we\u2019re finalizing the media channels. Sometimes, a project or task is all set to go but for some reason has not yet been initiated. In such cases, these phrases can be appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/em> The book publication is on hold until we receive the author’s final revisions. Example:<\/em> The construction is pending the city council’s approval. Example:<\/em> Development of the new application is on the back burner while we focus on immediate client needs. When something has not even reached the preparatory stage, these terms are apt for describing the initial status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/em> Our expansion to overseas markets remains uninitiated while we analyze risks. Example:<\/em> The training for new recruits is uncommenced, pending the finalization of the curriculum. Example:<\/em> The idea for the new book series is still in conception and not fleshed out yet. If a project is set to start under certain conditions being met, these phrases can effectively set the context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/em> The road works are subject to weather conditions and may not start until the rainy season ends. Example:<\/em> The research project is contingent upon funding, which we are currently securing. Example:<\/em> The team is awaiting a green light to kick-start the new development phase. In more casual conversation or writing, you might want to use a less formal term to indicate that something hasn’t started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/em> Our podcast idea hasn\u2019t gotten off the ground yet, but we\u2019re brainstorming the format. Example:<\/em> The issue of network security hasn’t been tackled yet, as we’re currently focused on server upgrades. Example:<\/em> The plans for the annual employee retreat are not in motion because we’re waiting for the budget approval. When an idea is still being formed or considered, these phrases provide an accurate description of its nascent state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/em> We are in the conceptual stage of developing a new mobile application. Example:<\/em> Our expansion plans are still on the drawing board, with many details to be worked out. Example:<\/em> There’s a new project brewing in the creative department, but it hasn’t taken shape yet. Using varied language to describe the status of a task or project can help convey more specific information and can often be more engaging or diplomatic. Whether it’s a more formal setting or a casual conversation, there’s an expression to suit every need.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sometimes, in personal or professional communications, you want to avoid saying something as flat as “not started” for a variety…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/855"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=855"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":859,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/855\/revisions\/859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phrasepioneer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Explanation:<\/em> This suggests that the plans are underway but the actual execution is pending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. In the Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Indicates that something is being worked on but is not yet in the active implementation phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. In Pre-Launch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Typically used for products or events, suggesting that preparations are ongoing, but the official start has not occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAwaiting Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. On Hold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Implies a temporary paused status, with plans to start pending a specific action or decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Pending<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Used when something is awaiting a necessary prerequisite before commencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. On the Back Burner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Indicates a deliberate delay, prioritizing other tasks before starting this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYet to be Undertaken<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Uninitiated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Expresses that something is yet to begin or take the first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Uncommenced<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> A more formal term that conveys that a project or task has not started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Still in Conception<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> This suggests that the idea or project is still in the very early, formulating stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nConditional Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. Subject to\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Indicates that the commencement is conditional upon certain criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n11. Contingent Upon\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Explains that the start is dependent on a specific requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n12. Awaiting a Green Light<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Implies that they are ready to begin as soon as permission or an official go-ahead is received.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInformal Idioms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
13. Not Off the Ground<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> An idiomatic expression to indicate the project has made no progress or beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n14. Not Yet Tackled<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Suggests that the project or task has not been addressed or attempted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n15. Not in Motion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Implies that the actual motion or action to start a process has yet to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarly Conceptualization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
16. In the Conceptual Stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Indicates that the idea is still being developed and fleshed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n17. On the Drawing Board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> Suggests that the planning process is ongoing, but no practical steps have been taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n18. Brewing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/em> An idiomatic way to say that something is being thought over or beginning to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n