develops to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develops to" is not commonly used in written English and may not be the best choice in most contexts.
It could be used when describing a process or progression that leads to a specific outcome, but it is more typical to use "develops into" instead. Example: "The project develops to a successful conclusion after several phases of testing."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, prevention and treatment strategies can be developed to identify the patients at risk, prevent the development of EK and, if EK develops, to treat EK.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Therefore, at the initial postnatal stages of development, area 17 of normal and pattern-deprived kittens develops to the same degree (Sherk and Stryker 1976).

Cerebral Cortex

The scour depth develops to top of foundation quickly, and then the foundation postpones the scour development (lag time).

Ain Shams Engineering Journal

The development of the fruit bodies is gymnocarpic, meaning that the hymenium appears and develops to maturity in an exposed state, not enclosed by any protective membrane.

Wikipedia

A muscle memory develops to anticipate the ship's oscillations and keep you upright.

The Guardian

As an individual grows, kissing develops to fulfil a range of functions.

Independent

When El Niño develops to such intensity, it has a major impact around the world.

Independent

"I will be watching closely as this process develops to ensure that current U.S. export controls are not weakened".

The New York Times

The employee shareholders will each vote independently unless a movement develops to organize employees as a group or under the umbrella of the unions, according to the experts.

The New York Times

"If legislative momentum develops to make home ownership more difficult in the United States, maybe Fannie and Freddie are at risk".

The New York Times

Though set 400 years apart, both novels address the critical moment when a tyrant weakens and a ruthless power struggle develops to fill the vacuum.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "develops into" as it's generally preferred in contemporary English. Ensure the context clearly implies a process or progression leading to a specific result when using "develops to".

Common error

Avoid using "develops to" excessively, especially in informal contexts where "develops into" provides a smoother, more natural flow. While grammatically acceptable, overusing it can make your writing sound slightly awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develops to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process that progresses towards a specific state or condition. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's often used to describe how something evolves over time, as shown in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "develops to" describes a process moving towards a specific state, predominantly appearing in scientific and news-related contexts. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that "develops into" is often a more natural-sounding alternative in contemporary English. Though frequently used, writers should be mindful of the context and audience when choosing between "develops to" and its alternatives to ensure clarity and stylistic appropriateness. The most frequent sources are Wikipedia, The Guardian, and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolves into

Indicates a gradual transformation into a different state or form.

progresses to

Suggests a forward movement or advancement towards a particular stage or condition.

transitions to

Emphasizes a shift or change from one state or condition to another.

transforms into

Highlights a significant change in form or appearance.

becomes

A simpler way of expressing that something changes state.

grows into

Implies a natural or gradual process of maturation or development.

matures into

Similar to 'grows into' but specifically emphasizes reaching a state of full development.

advances to

Highlights the idea of moving forward and reaching a more advanced stage.

changes to

Focuses on the alteration or modification of something.

morphs into

Suggests a dramatic or unexpected transformation.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "develops to"?

A more common and often preferred alternative is "develops into", which generally sounds more natural in modern English.

How does the use of "develops to" differ from "evolves into"?

"Evolves into" often implies a more gradual and natural transformation, while "develops to" suggests a directed process toward a specific outcome. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "develops to" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "develops to" is less common than "develops into" and can sound slightly awkward. Consider using "develops into" for a smoother reading experience.

In what contexts is "develops to" most appropriate?

"Develops to" might be suitable in technical or scientific writing where precision is key, and the context clearly indicates a stepwise progression toward a defined endpoint. However, "develops into" remains a versatile alternative in most situations.