how things progress

USAGE SUMMARY

'how things progress' is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to the way circumstances will change and develop over time. For example: We will have to wait and see how things progress over the next few weeks to properly evaluate the impact of this policy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

We'll see how things progress".

The Guardian - Music

"We'll see how things progress over the next couple days".

The New York Times - Sports

He added that after practices between Sunday and Thursday, "we'll see how things progress".

The New York Times - Sports

We have to see how things progress over time" Thomas, 33, lost control of his sports utility vehicle on Sunday on an icy Missouri highway.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a bit of a wait and see, how first he recovers from his injuries and then regains everyday fitness and just see how things progress from there but rest is required at the moment," he said.

Independent

If you really love this woman, but you're not in a hurry to have children, why don't you just live together for a while and see how things progress?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

After the protesters left Seattle, did they keep reading the newspapers to see how things progressed?

The Guardian - Opinion

Medically speaking, I'd found these books to be extremely accurate about how things progressed, but some put a lot of emphasis on birds landing on windowsills at the moment of death or people opening their eyes at the last minute and making amends or saying something profound.

The Guardian

The ability to replay events can significantly help make sense of how things progressed.

Journal of Cheminformatics

At this point, it's hard to see how things could progress in a way that's less favorable for the Trump administration.

The Washington Post

Needless to say, in most cases these painstakingly written proposals are often only loosely followed, as it's impossible to anticipate exactly how things will progress until a researcher actually does the experiment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how things progress" when you want to convey a sense of anticipation or uncertainty about the future development of a situation. It's best suited for scenarios where the outcome is not yet determined.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "how things progress" can sometimes sound informal or vague in formal contexts. Consider using more precise language that clearly indicates the expected development or outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things progress" functions as a relative clause, often acting as a noun clause that serves as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to the manner in which a situation or series of events unfolds or develops over time. For instance, "We'll see how things progress."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things progress" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express anticipation or uncertainty about future events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun clause and is commonly found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it may be too informal for highly academic or scientific writing. Consider alternatives such as "the evolution of circumstances" for a more formal tone. The phrase carries a sense of observation, suggesting a wait-and-see approach to unfolding events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how matters unfold

Emphasizes the revealing or unfolding of events over time.

how events transpire

Focuses on the occurrence and development of events, often with a sense of formality.

the way things develop

Highlights the gradual growth and evolution of a situation.

the course of events

Refers to the sequence of occurrences and their natural progression.

the evolution of circumstances

Stresses the gradual change and development of conditions.

the way forward unfolds

Implies a focus on future development and progress.

the progression of affairs

Highlights the structured advancement of events, often in a formal setting.

the unfolding scenario

Emphasizes the gradual revelation of a situation, often with anticipation.

the way the situation evolves

Focuses on the transformations and developments within a specific situation.

how the situation pans out

Suggests waiting to see the eventual outcome or result of a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "how things progress" to express uncertainty or anticipation about future events, like in the sentence, "We'll monitor "how things progress" over the next few weeks".

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

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "the "evolution of circumstances"" or "the "progression of affairs"".

Is "how things progress" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "how things progress" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider alternatives that convey a higher level of precision and formality.

What does "how things progress" imply in a statement?

It typically implies a sense of waiting and observing to see what happens next, without a predetermined plan or expectation.