as things progressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as things progressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the development or evolution of a situation over time. Example: "As things progressed, we began to see the positive impact of our efforts on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 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

As things progressed I started to doubt my recollections of series one, and even developed a paranoia that the writer might go back in time to mess with events.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as things progressed" to clearly indicate that a situation, plan, or relationship evolved gradually rather than abruptly. For example, "As things progressed, we began to understand the full scope of the project."

Common error

Avoid assuming that events happening after the progression are necessarily caused by it. Ensure causal links are explicitly stated if intended, rather than implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as things progressed" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating the concurrent development of events. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it introduces clauses describing how situations, projects, or relationships evolved over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as things progressed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the evolution of a situation over time, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a temporal conjunction, often used in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure a clear indication of the evolving aspect and avoid implying causation without explicit links. Consider alternatives like "as time went on" or "over time" to achieve specific nuances. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely usable and adaptable to different writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as time went on

Similar to "as time passed" but slightly more conversational.

as time passed

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

over time

A more concise way to indicate a gradual development.

as events unfolded

Highlights the unfolding of events and their impact.

with the passage of time

Emphasizes the duration of time and its effect on the unfolding events.

in the course of events

Implies a natural progression of occurrences.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen at the appropriate time, as things unfold.

down the line

Indicates a point in the future as development occurs.

in the fullness of time

Suggests that changes become apparent after a substantial amount of time.

with the unfolding circumstances

Highlights the role of emerging circumstances in the situation's evolution.

FAQs

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

You can use "as things progressed" to show how a situation evolved over time. For example: "As things progressed, the initial challenges became easier to manage."

What are some alternatives to "as things progressed"?

Alternatives include "as time went on", "over time", or "with the passage of time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "as things progressed" or "as time went on"?

"As things progressed" and "as time went on" are both generally neutral in formality. However, "as things progressed" might be preferred in contexts where you want to emphasize the active development of events, rather than just the passage of time.

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

"As things progressed" refers to the evolution of a situation over time, whereas "as things stand" describes the current state of affairs. They address different temporal perspectives.