as things progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as things progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will change or develop over time. Example: "We will keep you updated as things progress with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He rides into the screen on a horse that looks increasingly worried as things progress.

The New York Times

As things progress, though, investors will want in-depth information about the company.

The Guardian

Perhaps we will find out as things progress – Gibson has identified Spector, but there are still four episodes to run.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Like the Republican Party," said Paul Friedman, senior vice president of CBS News, "we will adjust as things progress".

The New York Times

The Olympic committee has granted the federation status as a Recognized International Sports Federation, but that may be as far as things progress, some chess officials acknowledge.

The New York Times

It's stunningly shot, on mostly US locations, and tackles plenty of hard topics – its deceptively light touch gets heavier as things progress.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Generally a woman's vulnerability increased as time went on, as things progressed.

The New Yorker

They lived in Westchester and I was in San Francisco, so as things progressed I couldn't offer much practical aid.

The New York Times - Health

Bear executives had been in touch with those parties all day, he said, and would continue to post them that evening as things progressed.

The New York Times

"There's funny and joking, the two are different … As things progressed, both with adult and junior books, I found that in subtle kinds of ways, without being preachy at all, you could suggest rather interesting things".

The Guardian - Books

And then as things progressed throughout the year she was the main person who said to me, quite firmly, you do need to be looking for residential care for your mother because she's just not safe as she is.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as things progress", consider specifying what "things" refers to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as things progress" when describing situations that demand immediate attention or decisive action. This phrase implies a gradual unfolding, which is unsuitable for urgent scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as things progress" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating that the subsequent clause is dependent on the unfolding of events. It's used to frame actions or decisions in relation to ongoing developments, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples showing how situations evolve.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as things progress" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating that the subsequent clause is dependent on the unfolding of events. According to Ludwig, it serves to provide contextual framing, suggesting that developments will influence future actions or understandings. The phrase is generally neutral in register and is frequently found in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as events unfold

Focuses on the unfolding of events.

as time goes on

Focuses on the passage of time as the primary driver of development.

as matters unfold

Similar to the main phrase but more formal.

as time unfolds

Emphasizes the gradual revelation of events.

with the passage of time

Emphasizes the effect of time on developments.

in due course

Suggests that events will happen at the appropriate time, without specifying a pace.

in the course of events

Positions the progress within a broader context.

down the line

Implies that future events will stem from the current situation.

in the process

Highlights that something is happening gradually.

in the fullness of time

Highlights the eventual completion or realization of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "as things progress" to describe how a situation or project is developing over time. For example, "We'll update the software "as things progress"."

What are some alternatives to "as things progress"?

Some alternatives include "as time goes on", "as events unfold", or "in due course". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "as things progress" formal or informal?

"As things progress" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although there might be more specific synonyms depending on the level of formality you are aiming for.

What's the difference between "as things progress" and "as things stand"?

"As things progress" refers to a future development, while "as things stand" refers to the current situation. The former suggests change, whereas the latter implies a static condition.