as they develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they develop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the progression or evolution of something over time, often in contexts related to growth, change, or improvement. Example: "The project will be adjusted as they develop to better meet the needs of the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Hardware & Firmware

News & Media

Science & Research

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both sides use it as they develop their respective components.

Hardware-Firmware Interface Design Best Practices for Improving Embedded Systems Development

Fetuses yawn, and then as they develop they stop yawning.

The New York Times

Employees' skills become obsolete even as they develop.

Harvard Business Review

As they develop, they learn to identify flaws and limitations.

Nature

It can also help identify new cocaine-producing areas as they develop.

The New York Times - Science

Individual people lack defining attributes because they change as they develop and decay.

The New York Times - Books

Winemakers monitor these casks, tasting them yearly and tracking them as they develop.

The New York Times - Food

"Many actors say they have to learn their lines in rehearsal as they develop an interpretation.

The New York Times - Arts

According to this narrative, societies get more individualistic as they develop.

The New York Times

"This will build on the platform provided by citizenship classes as they develop in our schools.

The Guardian

But even as they develop, hundreds of millions of their populations will be left behind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as they develop", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the context provides a clear understanding of what is developing. For instance, "The features will be added as they develop" benefits from specifying what 'they' refers to (e.g., the software, the product).

Common error

Avoid vague references. Ensure that the subject undergoing development is clear and the reader understands what aspects are changing or progressing. Saying "Things will improve as they develop" is less effective than "The project's features will improve as they develop, based on user feedback."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they develop" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something occurs in relation to the development process of the subject. This is supported by Ludwig, which presents numerous examples where the phrase clarifies the timing of actions or changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science & Research

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial clause "as they develop" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as supported by Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples. It serves to clarify the timing of an event in relation to the ongoing development of a subject. The phrase's neutral register and widespread usage across different domains—including news, science, and general writing—make it a versatile addition to any writer's toolkit. It's important to ensure that the subject of development is clear and the context supports a concise understanding of the intended meaning. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper usage and provides ample examples for further exploration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their development

Replaces "as" with "during", focusing on the timeframe of the development process.

through their evolution

Substitutes "develop" with "evolution", implying a more gradual and natural change.

in the course of their growth

Uses "growth" instead of "develop", which is suitable when referring to physical or abstract expansion.

while they are progressing

Employs "progressing" to emphasize forward movement and advancement.

as they advance

Replaces "develop" with "advance", highlighting forward movement and improvement.

as they unfold

Uses "unfold" to suggest a gradual revelation or emergence of something.

in their progression

Similar to "during their development", this alternative highlights the sequence of steps in the advancement.

as they mature

Replaces "develop" with "mature", which is appropriate when referring to the process of reaching full development.

during the time they are developing

Adds extra emphasis on time during their developing, therefore it sounds more descriptive but slightly less elegant

whilst they are evolving

It's basically the same of 'as they evolve' just using a more formal form.

FAQs

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

The phrase "as they develop" is used to describe the progression or evolution of something over time. For example, "The students learn to identify flaws "as they develop" their critical thinking skills".

What are some alternatives to "as they develop"?

You can use alternatives like "during their development", "through their evolution", or "in the course of their growth" depending on the context.

Is "as they develop" formal or informal?

The phrase "as they develop" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

Which is correct, "as they develop" or "as it develops"?

The correct phrase depends on the subject you are referring to. Use "as they develop" for plural subjects (e.g., "the features as they develop") and "as it develops" for singular subjects (e.g., "the technology as it develops").