as things stood then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as things stood then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific situation or condition that existed at a particular time in the past. Example: "As things stood then, we had no choice but to proceed with the project despite the challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As things stand, then, Britain's national minimum wage is rather an empty promise.

Independent

If RPI inflation remained at 1% as it has been, then, as things stood, TfL would lose an annual 2% increase in fares each year for four years as a result of a freeze.

The Guardian

Should Spurs finish outside the top four clubs - Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal as things stand - then Villas-Boas says Tottenham will have to invest in new players over the summer.

BBC

The Corps, as things stood, was not yet in charge.

The New Yorker

As things stand in professional philosophy, then, engaging in philosophy as public practice often requires significant sacrifices in one's career, a disproportionate workload, and, overall, a burden that many cannot or will not bear (Dotson, 2012).

Nature

If they do then as things stand either the will theory is true and children do not have rights, or the interest theory is true and they do.

SEP

To put it baldly then, as things stand, Syria seems to be heading not towards a "quagmire" as many western politicians have suggested, but rather to a clear military outcome.

HuffPost

As things stand, Vettel is winning the championship but then he's got to stop and there are 30-odd laps to go.

The Guardian - Sport

So as things stand Roma would go through with Bayern.

BBC

As things stand, that is.

Independent

As things stand, no.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as things stood then" to introduce a contrast between a past situation and the current one. This highlights how circumstances have changed over time.

Common error

Avoid using "as things stood then" without clearly defining the 'then'. Ensure your writing provides enough context for readers to understand the specific period you are referencing to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrases such as "as things stood then" serve to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, providing context about the conditions or circumstances prevailing at a particular time in the past. Ludwig suggests it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as things stood then" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe past conditions or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while its frequency is relatively rare, its application spans across various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. It's crucial to provide clear context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases, such as "at that time" or "under the circumstances", can offer similar meanings depending on the specific shade of meaning desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it was then

This is a simpler way of saying "as things stood then", keeping the focus on how something was.

under the circumstances at the time

This alternative specifies that the situation is being considered under the particular circumstances that existed.

under the then-current circumstances

Highlights that the circumstances were specific to that period and influenced the situation.

given the situation then

This alternative emphasizes the conditional nature of the state being described.

in that situation at that time

This option clearly indicates the specific situation and time being referenced.

considering the conditions then

Highlights the conditions as the determining factor in the situation.

based on the situation at that moment

This phrase emphasizes a decision or outcome based on the immediate circumstances.

the situation being what it was

This option places greater emphasis on the unchangeable nature of the past situation.

at that point in time

This alternative is a more general way to refer to a specific time in the past.

in those days

This suggests a more prolonged period, but can still imply the state of affairs.

FAQs

How can I use "as things stood then" in a sentence?

"As things stood then" is used to describe a situation or state at a specific point in the past. For example, "As things stood then, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy."

What's the difference between "as things stood then" and "as things stand now"?

"As things stood then" refers to a past situation, while "as things stand" refers to the current situation. They are used to contrast different states at different times.

What can I say instead of "as things stood then"?

Alternatives include "at that time", "under the circumstances", or "given the situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as things stood then" formal or informal?

The phrase "as things stood then" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than its inherent formality.