In Progress (In The Middle Of)

3 related grammar points that express the same core idea - compared below so you can tell which one to reach for.

Members

Noun + 中 JLPT N4
Verb ているところ JLPT N4
～ところ JLPT N2

中 / ているところ

Saying you are in the middle of doing something, right now.

Verb ているところ vs Noun + 中: Use ているところ. It marks the current stage of an action and is what you reach for when someone interrupts you. 中 attaches to a noun (会議中, 食事中) and labels a state, so it cannot take a verb phrase.