as things stand today

USAGE SUMMARY

"as things stand today" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a current situation, often to contrast it with some alternate situation. For example: "As things stand today, the situation is bleak, but if we take action now, there may be hope for recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

As things stand today, policy will be replaced by tragedy.

The Guardian - Opinion

As things stand today, that still looks a long way off.

The Guardian - Business

As things stand today, ad blocking may even be becoming less of a headache for the ad industry.

MIT Technology Review

As things stand today, the indicator would suggest that Senator John Kerry will defeat President Bush next month.

The New York Times

As things stand today, I'd much rather be in the president's shoes than in those of his adversaries, and not only because he tends to dress better.

The New York Times

"We think that as things stand today, there is going to be a very strong case for further amendments to the embargo or the lifting of the embargo".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

And that is where things stand today.

The New Yorker

e360: Where do things stand today?

Yale University

So where do things stand today?

Yale University

Where do things stand today, generally speaking?

Forbes

Professor Jonathan Harris, an honorary QC of Serle Court Chambers in Lincoln's Inn, said yesterday that "as things stand, after March 29 it cannot confidently be predicted whether member states will continue to uphold the vast number of pre-existing contractual clauses providing for disputes to be resolved in the English courts or will enforce English judgments".

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as things stand today" to provide a snapshot of a situation before discussing potential changes or future actions. This sets a clear baseline for your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "as things stand today" when discussing long-term trends or historical analyses. It's designed to capture a specific moment in time, not overarching patterns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as things stand today" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to specify the time frame being considered. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates the present state of affairs. It helps to set the context for further discussion or analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as things stand today" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe the current state of affairs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in News & Media and Academic contexts. When writing, it is best practice to use it to set a clear baseline before discussing future actions or potential changes. Alternatives include "currently" and "at present". However, avoid using it when discussing long-term trends. This phrase provides a snapshot and is therefore specific to a moment in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it now stands

Similar meaning, but adds emphasis on the current arrangement or situation.

as of now

Directly indicates the present moment, more concise.

at present

Emphasizes the immediate timeframe, often used in more formal contexts.

currently

Focuses directly on the present time, omitting the conditional aspect.

in its current form

Emphasizes the existing configuration or structure.

in the current circumstances

Highlights the surrounding conditions influencing the situation.

under the present conditions

Similar to "in the current circumstances", but emphasizes limitations.

in the existing climate

Focuses on the overall atmosphere or prevailing sentiment.

things being what they are

A more colloquial way of acknowledging the current state.

for the time being

Highlights the temporary aspect of current situation, more likely to change.

FAQs

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

Use "as things stand today" to describe the present situation, often before explaining potential changes or outcomes. For example, "As things stand today, the company is profitable, but new competition could change that."

What are some alternatives to "as things stand today"?

You can use alternatives such as "currently", "at present", or "as it now stands" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "as of today, as things stand"?

Yes, saying "as of today, as things stand" is redundant. Both phrases indicate the current situation, so using them together doesn't add value and can make the sentence clunky. Choose one or the other.

What's the difference between "as things stand today" and "in the future"?

"As things stand today" describes the current state, while "in the future" refers to a time yet to come. They are used to discuss opposing temporal contexts.