how things go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "How things go" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to talk about the general state or progress of something. For example, "I hope that this new project will go well, but we'll just have to see how things go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's how things go".

The New York Times - Sports

That's how things go.

The New York Times - Travel

Which is not usually how things go.

The New Yorker

So we'll see how things go.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It just shows how things go when you are greedy".

The New York Times

In other words, let's see how things go from here.

The New York Times

She added: "Please let me know how things go.

The New York Times - Magazine

Depending on how things go, they could be again.

The New York Times - Sports

"We'll see how things go in the spring," Duquette said.

The New York Times - Sports

We'll wait and see how things go here".

The New York Times

"But for now, we'll see how things go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how things go" when you want to express a general acceptance or observation about the unfolding of events or a situation's progress.

Common error

Avoid using "how things go" as a justification for inaction. While it acknowledges the natural course of events, it shouldn't imply a complete lack of agency or effort to influence outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things go" functions as a relative clause, often acting as a noun clause within a larger sentence. It commonly expresses an inquiry or statement about the unfolding of events or the progress of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things go" is a versatile phrase used to discuss the progression and state of affairs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage, especially in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to consider the context and audience to avoid sounding dismissive or passive. For more formal settings, alternatives like "the "course of events"" might be preferable. Use "how things go" to express acceptance, observation, or inquiry about a situation's unfolding, but be mindful of its potential implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what happens next

Focuses on the subsequent events or developments.

the way things turn out

Emphasizes the final result or consequence of events.

how matters unfold

Stresses the gradual revelation or development of a situation.

the course of events

Focuses on the sequence and development of happenings.

the way of the world

Indicates a common or typical pattern of events, often with a sense of resignation.

the flow of events

Highlights the continuous and interconnected nature of happenings.

the natural order of things

Highlights the inherent or expected pattern of occurrences.

what transpires

Refers to events that occur or take place, often unexpectedly.

the lay of the land

Describes the current situation or circumstances.

the state of affairs

Describes the current condition or circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "how things go" to express acceptance of a situation or to indicate that you are waiting to see what happens. For example, "We'll just have to wait and see "how things go" with the new project."

What's a more formal way to say "how things go"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "the "course of events"" or "the "state of affairs"" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "how things go"?

While "how things go" is generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. It can sometimes sound dismissive or passive, so choose your words carefully to avoid unintended implications.

What does "that's just how things go" mean?

The expression "that's just how things go" is often used to express resignation or acceptance of an undesirable situation, implying that such outcomes are common or inevitable.