how things develop

USAGE SUMMARY

'how things develop' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk or ask about the progress of something or the process of something becoming more detailed. For example, "I'm interested to see how things develop over the next few months," or "Let's watch how things develop before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Building again on the reasoning of Poole and Van de Ven (1989), we posit that to describe the process of financial innovation is to describe its development, and an explanation of how things develop requires a theory of development.

Financial Innovation

We'll see how things develop".

The New York Times

"I want to enjoy how things develop".

The Economist

We'll just see how things develop".

The New York Times - Sports

"But I'll see how things develop, politically and otherwise".

The New York Times

"It depends how things develop on the ground.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Then, when it became clear that we were happy to wait and see how things developed outside, they changed their tune.

The Guardian

I felt that I should wait in the area a little longer to see how things developed (for all I knew, people might suddenly appear), and once I sat down I realized how tired I was.

The New Yorker

Mr. Singh, when asked whether he would consider meeting about the current crisis with his Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar, when they both attend a South Asian regional meeting later this week, did not rule it out, saying he would see how things developed.

The New York Times

Sorry to say, the enjoyment of my evening at Mamo was curdled by how things developed after eight o'clock.

HuffPost

That's essentially how things developed in October 2003, when the Los Angeles Times broke the story about Schwarzenegger's history of touching and groping women when he was Hollywood's star of stars.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how things develop" when you want to express a sense of waiting and observing a process or situation as it unfolds. It's suitable when the outcome is uncertain and you're interested in the progression.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "how things develop" can sometimes sound too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "the evolution of events" or "the progression of the situation" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things develop" functions as a relative clause, often acting as a noun clause within a sentence. It introduces a topic of observation, anticipation, or analysis. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things develop" is a versatile phrase used to express anticipation and observation of unfolding events. Grammatically sound and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's particularly prevalent in News & Media. While appropriate in many contexts, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "the evolution of the situation" in academic or highly formal settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the process of unfolding events, maintaining a neutral to slightly informal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the way things progress

Emphasizes forward movement and advancement in a given scenario.

how situations evolve

Highlights the gradual change in a situation, emphasizing transformation over time.

how matters unfold

Focuses on the unfolding of events, emphasizing the sequence and revelation of details.

the course of events

Refers to the sequence of occurrences, often implying a predetermined or natural path.

how circumstances play out

Emphasizes the unfolding of a set of circumstances, often with an element of unpredictability.

the development process

Highlights the step-by-step nature of how something is built or matures.

what transpires

Focuses on what actually happens or becomes known, often in a formal or dramatic context.

the manner of advancement

Focuses on the specific way something moves forward or improves.

the scheme of unfolding

Similar to development process, but more specific, as it indicates that what's unfolding has been pre-planned or patterned.

the methodology of expansion

This term indicates that the unfolding is about enlarging, amplifying, or adding something new.

FAQs

How can I use "how things develop" in a sentence?

You can use "how things develop" to describe an unfolding situation, like: "We'll monitor "how things develop" before making a decision."

What's a more formal alternative to "how things develop"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "the evolution of the situation", "the unfolding of events", or "the progression of circumstances".

Is "how things develop" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "how things develop" may be perceived as informal in some academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "the dynamics of development" or "the process of evolution".

What does "how things develop" imply in a business context?

In business, "how things develop" often suggests a strategy of observing market trends or internal processes before committing to a specific course of action. It indicates a cautious and analytical approach.