circumstances of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circumstances of things" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when discussing the specific conditions or situations surrounding particular objects or events, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The circumstances of things in the project led to unexpected outcomes."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Wiseman did some filming in the street, in unplanned and uncontrolled circumstances, of things that took place when he happened to be there.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The general formula of logical inference implies that from A = B § C we can conclude that A § C. Jevons defines the concept 'term' in his Pure Logic: "Term will be used to mean name, or any combination of names and words describing the qualities and circumstances of a thing".

SEP

Under normal circumstances, those sorts of things would have been very hard to overcome.

The New York Times

'The issues we have here and the circumstances in terms of things like population are very similar to what Australia had thirty years ago, so we've modelled a lot of our interventions on what Australia was able to do to.'.

Huffington Post

"I don't know the circumstances of the matter but these things are dealt with by the Department of Finance in the ordinary way," the prime minister said.

The Guardian

Given this usage, we can think of circumstances of evaluation — the things which play the theoretical role outlined in §2.1.5 — as made up of indices.

SEP

It should be noted that the preceding results all relate to circumstances of 'all other things being equal'.

BMC Veterinary Research

The upside of aging is that you realize, even under the worst of circumstances, things can get better.

Huffington Post

But it can't be the property of being golden either since there are possible circumstances in which plenty of things are golden but not Harry.

SEP

What many candidates don't, or won't, understand is that once they are in office, circumstances and their view of things might change.

Forbes

Maybe that's a little too obscure for most people but the idea is how you can find in the most mundane of circumstances extraordinary things.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing general conditions, consider using more common phrases such as "state of affairs" or "prevailing conditions" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "circumstances of things" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and conventional terms like "conditions", "situations", or "context" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circumstances of things" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to provide more information about its state or condition. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "circumstances of things" is a prepositional phrase used to describe the conditions or situations surrounding specific items or events. However, Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is not commonly used in standard English, and more precise alternatives are generally preferred. While it appears in contexts like News & Media and Science, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more conventional terms such as "conditions of matters" or "situations of objects", especially in formal writing, ensuring effective communication. While grammatically correct, its infrequent use might lead to awkwardness or confusion, making alternative phrases a better choice for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditions of matters

Replaces "circumstances" with a more direct synonym, and "things" with "matters", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

situations of objects

Substitutes "circumstances" with "situations" and emphasizes the focus on physical objects rather than abstract concepts.

state of affairs regarding items

Offers a more formal and elaborate alternative, replacing "things" with "items" and adding "regarding" for specificity.

context of subjects

Focuses on the broader context surrounding specific "subjects", suggesting a more academic or analytical perspective.

aspects of entities

Uses more abstract and formal language, suitable for philosophical or theoretical discussions.

nature of elements

Highlights the intrinsic characteristics and conditions of "elements", often used in scientific or technical contexts.

the way items are

Simplifies the expression, focusing on the current state or condition of "items" in a straightforward manner.

the setting of objects

Emphasizes the physical environment or location affecting "objects", suitable for descriptive or narrative contexts.

surroundings of items

Highlights the environment and external factors affecting "items", used to describe the immediate context.

environmental factors affecting items

Focuses specifically on the external environmental influences on "items", often used in scientific or analytical reports.

FAQs

How can I use "circumstances of things" in a sentence?

While not a standard phrase, you might use it to describe the specific conditions affecting particular objects or events. However, consider alternatives like "conditions of matters" or "situations of objects" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "circumstances of things"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "conditions of matters", "situations of objects", or "context of subjects".

Is "circumstances of things" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, the phrase is not commonly used and may sound awkward. Standard alternatives would likely be preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "circumstances of things"?

It's rarely the best choice. Consider more common and clearer alternatives, especially in formal writing. If aiming for a unique expression, ensure the context warrants it and the meaning remains clear.