how things are moving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how things are moving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that is progressing or developing in some way. For example: "I'm encouraged by how things are moving in the negotiations between both countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I'm afraid this time around we're not very optimistic about how things are moving," Mr. Vos said at a news conference at United Nations headquarters.

The New York Times

Their progress over the past few years demonstrates how things are moving on: St Mungo, their pale lager, is increasingly easy to find in the best pubs and bars around the city.

Independent

The very fact that Closer magazine has dared to go public with the story shows how things are moving.

BBC

Now this is moving out into the food markets, so they can track how things are moving in the food market.

Forbes

Illumio is not disclosing its revenues and Rubin noted that it is not yet profitable, but there are other signs of how things are moving.

TechCrunch

Even Amazon's effort to simplify things with Dash, a physical button for re-ordering items, shows how things are moving — though scanning a QR code seems far easier and more flexible.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I was always focused on the moment and how things were moving.

The New York Times - Arts

"The origin of the Oort cloud is going to tell you something about how things were moving around in that era right after the planets started to form," Fernández says.

Science Magazine

A reporter covering recent LGBT strides toward equality recently asked me, "Are you surprised at how fast things are moving?" When I replied that I think they're actually moving pretty slowly, he looked at me quizzically.

Huffington Post

"I am a bit shellshocked to see how fast things are moving here almost by themselves".

The New York Times

It is a measure of how quickly things are moving that the newspaper closest to the cutting edge a few years ago now seems most in need of a new strategy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how things are moving", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the rate and direction of progress. Is it fast, slow, positive, or negative?

Common error

Avoid assuming that "how things are moving" implies solely positive progress. It's crucial to assess whether the movement is actually beneficial or detrimental to the overall outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things are moving" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its frequent use to describe the state or direction of ongoing processes, as seen in many examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how things are moving" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the progress or development of a situation. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to assess or inquire about ongoing processes. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the rate and direction of progress and the examples provided by Ludwig show the flexibility of this phrase. While versatile, remember to consider whether the implied movement is beneficial or detrimental to the overall outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how the situation is developing

Highlights ongoing development of a situation

the way things are progressing

Emphasizes the forward movement and advancement of a situation.

the direction things are heading

Focuses on the future trajectory and anticipated outcome.

the manner in which events are unfolding

Focuses on the step-by-step revelation of a situation.

the momentum of developments

Highlights the driving force behind ongoing changes.

the trend of events

Emphasizes the pattern and tendency of occurrences.

the current state of affairs

Highlights the present condition without necessarily implying movement.

the flow of current events

Emphasizes the continuous and interconnected nature of occurrences.

the evolution of circumstances

Focuses on the gradual change and transformation of a situation.

the rhythm of progress

Implies a patterned or paced advancement.

FAQs

What does "how things are moving" mean?

The phrase "how things are moving" refers to the progress, development, or current state of a particular situation or process. It describes the way things are advancing or changing.

What can I say instead of "how things are moving"?

You can use alternatives like "the way things are progressing", "the current state of affairs", or "how the situation is developing" depending on the context.

Is "how things are moving" formal or informal?

The phrase "how things are moving" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific tone will depend on the surrounding language and situation.

How can I use "how things are moving" in a sentence?

You might say, "I'm pleased with how things are moving in the project" or "Let's assess how things are moving before making a final decision". The phrase is versatile and can fit into many situations where progress or development is being discussed.