as the narrative develops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the narrative develops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the progression or unfolding of a story or plot over time. Example: "As the narrative develops, we begin to understand the motivations of the main character more clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As the narrative develops, so does the willed action.

The Guardian - Books

As the narrative develops in its improvisatory way, the quoted lyrics become a pointed kind of challenge both to them, and to the reader.

The Guardian - Books

I was reminded of this characteristic statement while reading "Frontier," in which one senses the rigorous forward motion of Can Xue's technique forming her vision as the narrative develops.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dunn commented that as the narrative developed, the child is shown singing, but the adult Madonna's voice is heard, and when the adult Madonna appears in a hallway, her shadow is that of a child.

Wikipedia

The narrative developed as Lowery wrote the script, so much so that he initially questioned whether the movie should culminate with Mara's departure.

Huffington Post

Then I follow that character, or that event, and build a story from there, letting the narrative develop only as a natural outgrowth of what specific characters might do in a given situation.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rattner, the narrative developed, had become Wall Street's Icarus, flying too close to the sun.

The New York Times

But as the US narrative developed - and changed - after the raid, there were growing questions about whether it was legal to kill the al-Qaeda leader.

BBC

Advance planning can be helpful – and will be discussed – but we need to recognise the ways in which our initial ideas may be modified or even radically subverted as our narrative develops.

The Guardian

Advance planning can be helpful - and will be discussed - but we need to recognise the ways in which our initial ideas may be modified or even radically subverted as our narrative develops.

The Guardian

Many of the earliest male poets became renowned as warriors and lovers, and around their careers (or, perhaps, their "personae"; the historical existence of several poets remains unverified) elaborate traditions of narrative developed, as, for example, with the pre-Islamic cavalier-poet ʿAntarah and the hapless love poet Majnūn Laylā (literally, "He Who Was Driven Crazy by Love for Laylā").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the narrative develops" when you want to emphasize how a story or explanation gradually unfolds, revealing new information or perspectives over time.

Common error

Avoid using "as the narrative develops" when you actually mean "as the topic expands" or "as the research progresses". Narrative implies a structured story or account, not just general development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the narrative develops" functions as an introductory phrase or clause, setting the stage for describing changes or insights that occur during the unfolding of a story or account. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as the narrative develops" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce evolving aspects of a story or account. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples primarily drawn from news and media, academic writing, and wiki sources. While relatively rare, the phrase adds a layer of sophistication to writing, highlighting the progression of events and insights over time. When using it, ensure you are truly referring to a structured story and not merely a general topic expansion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the story progresses

Focuses on the 'story' aspect rather than 'narrative', slightly more informal.

as the plot unfolds

Emphasizes the 'plot' which is a sequence of events, often in fiction.

as the account evolves

Uses 'account' which can be used for non-fiction scenarios.

as the situation unfolds

Shifts from a story to a general 'situation', making it less specific to narratives.

as events transpire

More formal and emphasizes the occurrence of 'events'.

as the tale unfolds

Uses 'tale', implying a story, but can sound old-fashioned.

as the history unfolds

Uses 'history,' suggesting a factual account rather than a fictional narrative.

with the progression of the narrative

A more formal and slightly longer version.

in the course of the narrative

Focuses on 'course' which highlights a sequence, slightly detached.

as the details emerge

Highlights the 'details' being revealed, less about the overall narrative flow.

FAQs

How can I use "as the narrative develops" in a sentence?

You can use "as the narrative develops" to show progression in a story or account. For example, "As the narrative develops, the protagonist's motivations become clearer".

What's a more formal alternative to "as the narrative develops"?

A more formal alternative could be "with the progression of the narrative" or "in the course of the narrative".

Is it correct to say 'as the narrative develop' instead of "as the narrative develops"?

No, it is not correct. The verb must agree with the singular subject "narrative", so the correct form is "as the narrative develops".

What's the difference between "as the story unfolds" and "as the narrative develops"?

"As the story unfolds" is generally more informal and refers to a sequence of events, while "as the narrative develops" might imply a more structured or constructed account. You can also consider other alternatives like "as the plot unfolds".