flow of things

USAGE SUMMARY

"flow of things" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the continuous movement or progression of events, ideas, or actions. Example: The flow of things at the conference was disrupted when the power went out. In this sentence, "flow of things" refers to the overall smooth and continuous progression of the conference before it was interrupted by the power outage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

I've got to get back into the flow of things".

The New York Times - Sports

He'll get right back into the flow of things.

The New York Times

They were going with the flow of things.

The New York Times

If you stand there rigid, you are not in the flow of things.

The Guardian - Arts

"He just made two unforced errors, but it's O.K. It's in the flow of things.

The New Yorker

"You develop a sense for what the rhythms should be, the flow of things.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"There's a constant flow of little things," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Muscles Sweaty (Modular) Australia's Muscles finds comfort in the mystic flow of grouping things into threes: Guns, Babes, Lemonade (his album title) or peace, love and ecstasy (the refrain of this song).

The Guardian - Music

The emperors, who realized that the well-being of cities, the jewels of their realm, depended on such munificence, increasingly intervened to insure a continued flow of good things from the rich of a community to their fellow citizens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I hyphenate "in-finite" here to stress that the infinite nothingness of the Dao is found only in the midst of the natural flow of finite things.

SEP

Start creating a stronger connection with your inner spirit through meditation, soul writing, reading, dancing, spending time in nature, and getting lost in the flow of the things you love.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flow of things" to describe the natural and continuous progression of events, ideas, or activities, especially when emphasizing ease and lack of obstruction. For example, "To maintain the flow of things, ensure all documents are prepared in advance."

Common error

Don't use "flow of things" for trivial interruptions. It's best suited for significant disruptions or when discussing the overall smoothness of a process, not for minor hiccups that are quickly resolved. Instead focus on practical solutions to get things back on track.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flow of things" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in describing the progression, movement, or state of affairs in various contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flow of things" is a commonly used phrase that describes the continuous movement or progression of events, ideas, or actions. Ludwig AI validates that it’s grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into various contexts from news and media to personal blogs. Related phrases include "course of events" and "natural order", though "flow of things" often emphasizes a smooth, unimpeded progression. When writing, use it to describe significant, ongoing processes and avoid applying it to minor, easily rectified disruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

course of events

Focuses on the sequential order of occurrences.

natural order

Emphasizes the inherent arrangement and progression.

progression of events

Highlights the forward movement from one point to another.

ebb and flow

Captures the cyclical rise and fall of circumstances or emotions.

rhythm of life

Implies a recurring pattern or cadence in daily existence.

way of the world

Refers to the common or expected state of affairs.

scheme of things

Suggests an organized structure or system.

the big picture

Highlights the overall context or perspective.

how things go

A more informal way of referring to the typical course of events.

the process

Focuses on the step-by-step series of actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "flow of things" to describe the natural progression of events, like "The new software improved the "flow of information" within the company" or "It's important to go with the "flow of things" when traveling in a new country".

What's a good alternative to "flow of things"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "course of events", "natural order", or "progression of events" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "go with the flow of things"?

Yes, "go with the "flow of things"" is a common and correct idiom that means to adapt to circumstances and not resist what's happening naturally.

What does "disrupt the flow of things" mean?

To "disrupt the "flow of things"" means to interrupt or interfere with the natural or smooth progression of events or activities.