as they come

USAGE SUMMARY

"as they come" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate an occurrence or thing that is natural or expected. For example, "She spoke her mind as they come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's Bonzo, white as they come".

The New Yorker

I'm as southern as they come.

Independent

Better to take things as they come.

The New Yorker

They're as real as they come.

The New York Times

He is as honest as they come".

BBC

He's as tough as they come".

The New York Times - Sports

She is as unreliable as they come.

The New York Times - Books

More details as they come in.

The New York Times

As alluring as they come.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's about as cheap as they come.

The New York Times - Tech

I'll post answers as they come in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they come" to convey acceptance and a proactive approach to dealing with situations without overthinking or pre-planning. For example, "We will address the issues "as they come", rather than trying to predict every possible problem."

Common error

Avoid using "as they come" when a more specific term for planning or anticipation is needed. This phrase implies a reactive approach, not a proactive one. For example, instead of saying "We'll plan the project "as they come"", use "We'll plan the project in stages."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they come" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, specifically indicating that things are handled or dealt with in the order they occur, as Ludwig AI highlights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they come" is a versatile phrase used to describe a reactive and accepting approach to dealing with events or tasks. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. The phrase conveys a sense of adaptability and handling things in the order they occur, without excessive planning. When using "as they come", be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intended message of reacting to situations as they arise. While versatile, ensure its neutral tone is suitable for the formality level of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as things unfold

This focuses on the progression of events, similar to "as they come" when referring to unfolding situations.

in due course

Implies something will happen naturally at the appropriate time, similar to accepting things "as they come".

as expected

Highlights the anticipated nature of events, aligning with one sense of "as they come".

naturally

Emphasizes the inherent or unforced quality, mirroring the 'natural' aspect of the original phrase.

organically

Suggests a natural, developing process without external influence, aligning with accepting things "as they come".

as circumstances dictate

Highlights adaptation to existing conditions, similar to taking things "as they come".

as fate would have it

Implies acceptance of inevitable outcomes, echoing a fatalistic view of "as they come".

whatever may arise

Focuses on being prepared for any eventuality, in the spirit of "as they come".

come what may

This emphasizes a resilient attitude, similar to facing circumstances "as they come".

in their natural order

This refers to accepting the sequence of events, reflecting the natural flow implied by "as they come".

FAQs

How can I use "as they come" in a sentence?

You can use "as they come" to describe accepting events or tasks in the order that they occur, without trying to anticipate or control them. For example, "I prefer to handle problems "as they come" rather than worrying about them in advance."

What does "as they come" mean?

"As they come" generally signifies dealing with things in the order they appear or happen, without prior planning or intervention. It suggests a reactive and adaptable approach.

What's a more formal alternative to "as they come"?

In a more formal context, you might say "as circumstances dictate" or "in due course" instead of "as they come". These alternatives /s/as+circumstances+dictate and /s/in+due+course offer a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is it correct to say "take things as they come"?

Yes, "take things as they come" is a common and correct idiom. It means to accept situations without resistance and deal with them as they arise. It is used in sentences like: "But sometimes you have to "take things as they come"."