as things unfold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as things unfold" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of events happening, often in a progressive or continuous manner. For example, "We'll have to wait and see as things unfold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The women who had been seated move to the rear of the stage, where they hover under veils and look on as things unfold.

The New York Times - Arts

As things unfold, the demon is inactive.

SEP

Retrospective posts are no longer as effective, so it's in your best interest to stay active, in the moment, as things unfold before you.

Forbes

You will hear more about these as things unfold.

Huffington Post

There are human beings caught in this quagmire and sadly, I fear more will be drawn into the horrors of war as things unfold.

Huffington Post

After the spot aired, Favreau said the first trailer was intended as an introduction to pique people's curiosity and that the Super Bowl TV spot was "showing more of the sense of adventure as things unfold".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And yet, as things unfolded, Minnesota won in the most Pitino way.

The New York Times - Sports

As things unfolded, however, the Supreme Court decision had one considerable short-term benefit for Governor Bush: on a day when Mr. Gore badly needed a victory somewhere, he failed to get it in either Washington or Tallahassee.

The New York Times

Yet, as things unfolded on social media and the news channels, it became clear that there was little that we could know right away.

Huffington Post

Thus, an educated citizenry (which includes anthropologists and other social scientists with empirical depth) looks left and right, as well as up and down; listens near and far, with headphones on and off; smells the streets as well as sees how things unfold; embraces, with fervor, neighbors and friends, without crushing their ribs or spirit.

HuffPost

"We're hopeful that as other things unfold in the city, they will come here, too".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "as things unfold" with verbs that indicate observation or anticipation, such as "observe", "monitor", "wait", or "see", to emphasize the act of witnessing events as they progress.

Common error

While "as things unfold" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "as events transpire" or "as the situation evolves" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as things unfold" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or circumstances under which an action occurs. It introduces a sense of progression and contingency, setting the stage for events to happen in sequence as revealed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as things unfold" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the progression and revelation of events over time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English and can be used to refer to the process of events happening in a progressive or continuous manner. While suitable for various contexts, it's most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business settings. Alternatives like "as events transpire" or "as matters develop" may be preferred in more formal writing. Remember to use the phrase to create a sense of progression, discovery, and potential uncertainty, and be mindful of overusing it in overly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the situation evolves

Specifically refers to the changing nature of a particular situation.

as events transpire

Focuses on the occurrence of events, suggesting a formal or significant context.

as matters develop

Emphasizes the evolution of situations or issues.

as the picture becomes clearer

Focuses on gaining a better understanding of a situation as more information becomes available.

as the story develops

Highlights the narrative aspect of unfolding events, suggesting a plot or sequence.

in due course

Implies that events will happen at the appropriate time, without haste.

as time progresses

Highlights the continuous passage of time and its impact on unfolding events.

with the passage of time

Similar to "as time progresses", but with a slightly more literary tone.

in the fullness of time

Emphasizes that events will be revealed or understood completely at a later, unspecified date.

down the line

Offers a more casual way of referring to future developments.

FAQs

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

You can use "as things unfold" to describe a situation where the outcome is uncertain and depends on a series of events. For example, "We will monitor the situation "as things unfold" to determine the best course of action".

What are some alternatives to "as things unfold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "as events transpire", "as matters develop", or "in due course".

Is "as things unfold" formal or informal?

"As things unfold" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in a variety of contexts. However, in very formal writing, it may be preferable to use a more sophisticated alternative like "as the situation evolves".

What's the difference between "as things unfold" and "as things unfolded"?

"As things unfold" refers to events that are currently happening or will happen in the future, while "as things unfolded" refers to events that have already happened. The former implies an ongoing process, while the latter describes a completed sequence of events.