as things developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as things developed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that events or circumstances changed over time, often leading to a conclusion or outcome. Example: "As things developed, we realized that our initial plan was no longer feasible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We said we'd be in touch with them as things developed".

The New York Times

As things developed, Dahlgren had not much better luck than DuPont.

The New York Times

He was in his hometown of Mansoura in the Nile Delta, but went to Tahrir Square as things developed.

The Guardian

Pop art essentialized — or freeze-dried, as things developed — a national dream of at least consumerist democracy.

The New Yorker

Coordination is important, but as you can never plan for everything online, we found we also needed to be ready to react quickly as things developed.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I think as things develop we can start to adjust our objectives to better achievements.

The New York Times - Sports

So as things develop, there might be some changes to the policy, and relevant departments are considering this".

The New York Times

You see and sense everybody — where they are, where they're headed, as things develop in almost constant motion.

The New Yorker

Fortunately, I've got a good relationship so that he will share with me his insights as things develop.

The New York Times

As things develop, you get separated from that by P.R. people and distributors and all that stuff.

The New York Times - Arts

A plot development near the end of Part 1 suggests that Natalie Martinez, who plays a deputy sheriff, will have more to do as things develop.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as things developed" to provide context to how a situation changed over time, leading to a specific outcome or realization.

Common error

Avoid using "as things developed" when referring to an immediate or instantaneous change. This phrase implies a gradual process over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as things developed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating the temporal context in which the events described in the clause occurred. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it introduces a shift or evolution in circumstances.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"As things developed" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate a progression or evolution of events over time. While grammatically correct and usable, Ludwig suggests that the phrase is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to provide a temporal context for understanding how situations change. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a gradual process rather than an instantaneous change. Alternatives include "as events unfolded" or "as the situation progressed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as events unfolded

Focuses on the sequential revealing of events, highlighting the unfolding nature of a situation.

as the situation progressed

Emphasizes the forward movement and evolution of a particular situation over time.

in the course of events

Highlights the natural flow and progression of events without specific details about the situation itself.

with the passage of time

Focuses on the temporal aspect and how events change as time passes.

as time went on

Similar to "with the passage of time", but with a more informal and narrative tone.

subsequently

Highlights what happened after a particular event or point in time.

in retrospect

Suggests looking back at how events unfolded from a current vantage point.

looking back

Implies reflection on past events and their subsequent development.

in due course

Suggests that events will develop at an appropriate or expected time.

eventually

Focuses on the final outcome or result after a period of development.

FAQs

How can I use "as things developed" in a sentence?

You can use "as things developed" to describe how a situation or plan evolved over time. For example, "As things developed, we realized our initial strategy was no longer effective."

What are some alternatives to "as things developed"?

Some alternatives include "as events unfolded", "as the situation progressed", or "with the passage of time".

Is "as things developed" formal or informal?

"As things developed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "as things developed" and "in the end"?

"As things developed" describes the process of change over time, while "in the end" focuses on the final outcome or result. They are not interchangeable.