as things stand now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as things stand now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the current situation or state of affairs at a particular moment in time. Example: "As things stand now, we are on track to meet our project deadline, but we need to remain vigilant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"As things stand now, nothing will change," he said.

Independent

"As things stand now, digital music has failed".

The New York Times - Tech

"As things stand now, the prospects are promising".

The Guardian

As things stand now, we will delete him.

The New York Times - Sports

As things stand now, industry has all the equipment and experience.

The New York Times

However, as things stand now, Japan still has no concrete plan for moving the air base.

The New York Times

As things stand now, the odds of Democrats retaining control are almost exactly even.

The New Yorker

As things stand now, however, "Celebration Day" may well mark the band's last joint project.

The New York Times

As things stand now, however, Washington will provide less help, not more, in 2012.

The New York Times

As things stand now, peace with Israel is not possible because of Palestinian attitudes and behavior.

The New York Times

As things stand now, he may stop the testing in this country all by himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as things stand now", ensure the surrounding sentences provide sufficient context for the reader to understand the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "as things stand now" when referring to a hypothetical or future situation. It's meant to describe the present, not possibilities. For future or hypothetical scenarios, rephrase using conditionals or expressions of intent, such as "if things continue as they are" or "if the current trend persists".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as things stand now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by specifying the time frame or current status of the situation being described. It indicates the present state and often implies a potential for change, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as things stand now" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to define the current situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. It sets the stage for presenting information with the understanding that the situation is subject to change. While there are many alternatives, each carries slightly different nuances, and choosing the best one depends on the specific context. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the present and avoid projecting it into hypothetical scenarios. Remember to use it when you want to create a snapshot of the current scenario but you know things can change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it now exists

Focuses on the present form or condition.

in its current form

Emphasizes the structure or configuration as it is now.

at the present moment

Focuses strictly on the immediate timeframe.

in the current situation

Focuses more on the circumstances than the progression of events.

under the present circumstances

Emphasizes the conditions influencing the current state.

given the current state of affairs

More formal and emphasizes the overall situation.

as it currently appears

Adds a sense of perception or observation to the current state.

in the present climate

Highlights the prevailing atmosphere or conditions.

for the time being

Implies that the situation is temporary.

in today's environment

Highlights the broader context influencing the current state.

FAQs

How can I use "as things stand now" in a sentence?

You can use "as things stand now" to describe the current state of a situation, implying that it could change in the future. For example, "As things stand now, the project is on schedule, but we need to monitor progress closely".

What phrases are similar to "as things stand now"?

Alternatives to "as things stand now" include "at the present moment", "in the current situation", or "under the present circumstances". Each conveys the idea of the current state of affairs.

Is it correct to use "as things stood then" instead of "as things stand now"?

The phrase "as things stood then" refers to a past situation, while "as things stand now" refers to the present. Use "as things stood then" when discussing a past state of affairs and need to clarify that something changed since then.

What is the difference between "as things stand now" and "currently"?

"As things stand now" implies a snapshot of the present situation with the understanding that it is subject to change, whereas "currently" simply denotes the present time without necessarily implying change. The first is a more specific and nuanced description of a fluid state.