as the story develops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the story develops" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something changes or unfolds over the course of a narrative or plot. Example: "As the story develops, we learn more about the protagonist's hidden past and the challenges they face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"This is fly-on-the-wall, as the story develops.

The New York Times - Sports

The reader's sympathies and suspicions shift as the story develops.

Independent

However, as the story develops some bewildering flaws spoil things.

The Guardian - Books

As the story develops, Martin is increasingly humanized by his experience.

The New York Times

AS the story develops, we learn that Lester resents Dan because he does not have AIDS.

The New Yorker

The Washington Post's Max Fisher identifies three caveats to keep in mind as the story develops.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The story develops as a vibrant adventure frequently refreshed by Lopez's adorable orange, three-eyed character Thurman.

Huffington Post

See below for updates as the story developed Tuesday.

The Washington Post

And as the story developed, I slowly realised that I was writing a mystery book.

The Guardian

Rather than posting separate entries as the story developed, he added bullet point-ish updates with each new snippet so the event was chronologically organised.

The Guardian

Robinson said that as the story developed, sometimes they'd get information about a priest that, if they'd learned about it six months earlier, would have warranted a big page-one story.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as the story develops", ensure that the subsequent information directly relates to the progression of the narrative, maintaining a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "as the story develops" to introduce information that is tangential or irrelevant to the main narrative arc. Ensure the information contributes directly to understanding the plot or characters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the story develops" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main clause by indicating the time or condition under which the action in the main clause occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as the story develops" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial clause, signaling narrative progression. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly News & Media, Academia, and Wiki. While generally neutral in tone, ensuring that subsequent information is directly related to the main narrative is essential for effective usage. Alternatives include "as the narrative unfolds" and "as the plot progresses", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the narrative unfolds

Replaces "story" with "narrative" emphasizing the unfolding nature of events.

as the plot progresses

Substitutes "story" with "plot", focusing on the sequence of events in a story.

as the tale evolves

Replaces "story" with "tale" implying a more traditional or imaginative narrative.

as events transpire

Focuses on the unfolding of events, rather than the story itself.

as the situation unfolds

Shifts focus from a narrative to a specific situation or scenario.

as the account progresses

Replaces 'story' with 'account', which suggests a recounting of events.

with the progression of the story

Rephrases to emphasize the continuous advancement of the narrative.

over the course of the story

Highlights the temporal aspect of the story's development.

as the details emerge

Emphasizes the gradual revealing of information or facts.

as things unfold

A more general phrase, applicable to situations beyond just stories.

FAQs

What does "as the story develops" mean?

The phrase "as the story develops" indicates that the narrative is progressing, and new information or changes are being revealed over time.

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

You can use it to introduce new plot points, character developments, or revelations. For example, "As the story develops, we learn more about the protagonist's motives."

What are some alternatives to "as the story develops"?

Alternatives include "as the narrative unfolds", "as the plot progresses", or "as events transpire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "as the story develops"?

While grammatically correct, it's best to avoid using "as the story develops" if the information you're introducing doesn't directly contribute to the unfolding narrative or progression of events.