as the plot unfolds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the plot unfolds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that more information is being revealed in a story or narrative as the story progresses. For example, "As the plot unfolds, the protagonist finds out that his true enemy is within his own family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

As the plot unfolds, the irony of that mismatch starts to grow.

The New Yorker

As the plot unfolds, all my old objections to the genre resurface in the form of questions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tracked by the audience, which will change seating as the plot unfolds, they will have no place to hide.

The New Yorker

Its characters deal with a range of emotions as the plot unfolds through marriage, childbirth, adultery, poverty, loneliness, political defiance and death.

The New York Times - Books

Joss carries with him a shameful secret about his own origins that he discovers and shares with us as the plot unfolds.

The Guardian - Books

As the plot unfolds, both Lili and Nick are shown to be wounded, ruthless, voracious souls who seek in each other some kind of magical deliverance.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The plot unfolds as the player attempts to get random temp jobs that will cause him to cross paths with the presidential candidate, the Taliban, environmental advocacy groups and others.

The Washington Post

The plot unfolds as very thick, complex and long.

Huffington Post

So, as each music video comes out, the plot unfolds".

Vice

Moffat's script is economically and powerfully written, there are strong performances from Maxine Peake and Matthew Macfadyen, and the plot unfolds slowly, ambivalently, showing as much control as one of its central characters; the pace allowing you to digest and be drawn into the story.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As they too seek the Frozen Flame, the plot unfolds amidst several other characters.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the plot unfolds" to create a sense of anticipation and draw the reader further into the narrative. It's particularly effective when introducing new twists or revelations.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "as the plot unfolds". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the plot unfolds" functions as a conjunction, introducing a clause that describes the progressive revelation of events within a narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as the plot unfolds" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the progressive revelation of events within a narrative, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its neutral register and frequent use in news and media sources make it suitable for diverse writing contexts. While synonyms like "as the story progresses" offer alternatives, it's crucial to vary sentence structure to avoid repetition. Remember that "as the plot unfolds" is your narrative compass, guiding readers through twists and turns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the story progresses

Replaces "plot" with "story", focusing on the narrative's advancement.

as events transpire

Uses a more formal verb, "transpire", to describe the unfolding of events.

as the situation develops

Focuses on the evolving nature of a specific situation.

as the details emerge

Emphasizes the gradual revelation of information or specifics.

as the scenario plays out

Emphasizes the unfolding of a predetermined scenario or plan.

as the truth is revealed

Highlights the unveiling of a truth or fact.

in the course of events

Highlights that something occurs as a natural part of the unfolding events.

as things come to light

Focuses on the exposure of previously unknown information.

as time goes on

A more general expression referring to the passage of time and the accompanying changes.

with the passage of time

Focuses on the effect of time on unfolding events.

FAQs

How can I use "as the plot unfolds" in a sentence?

You can use "as the plot unfolds" to indicate that events are progressively being revealed in a story. For example, "As the plot unfolds, the protagonist uncovers a hidden conspiracy".

What can I say instead of "as the plot unfolds"?

You can use alternatives like "as the story progresses", "as events transpire", or "as the situation develops" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as the plot unfolds" and "as the story unfolds"?

While similar, "as the plot unfolds" typically refers to a planned sequence of events, whereas "as the story unfolds" is a broader term that encompasses all narrative elements including character development and themes.

Can "as the plot unfolds" be used in non-fiction writing?

Yes, although primarily used in fiction, "as the plot unfolds" can also be used in non-fiction to describe the progressive revelation of events in a real-life situation or historical narrative.