how things turn out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how things turn out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the result of certain actions or decisions, or in a more general sense when talking about the future. For example: "I'm excited to see how things turn out during this upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Funny how things turn out".

The Guardian - Sport

We'll see how things turn out".

The Guardian - Film

It's funny how things turn out.

The Guardian - Music

Better to wait and see how things turn out.

The Economist

This is just how things turn out sometimes in competitions.

The New York Times - Arts

"We will have to see how things turn out".

The Guardian

No, let's wait and see how things turn out.

The New Yorker

And how things turn out can hinge on the precise moment you run into them.

The Guardian - Sport

It may take the better part of the week to see how things turn out.

The New York Times

I want to see how things turn out here over the next few years".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's just how things turned out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how things turn out" when you want to express a sense of uncertainty or anticipation about the future results of a situation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using past tense verbs with "how things turn out" when referring to future events. For instance, don't say "how things turned out" when you mean "how things will turn out" in a predictive sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things turn out" functions as a relative clause acting as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It introduces an element of uncertainty or anticipation about future outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things turn out" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express uncertainty or anticipation about future outcomes. It functions as a relative clause and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usage, and while suitable for various situations, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing. Remember to avoid using past tense verbs when referring to future outcomes with this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the end result

Shortened version highlighting the final product.

the way events unfold

Specifically refers to the manner in which events progress.

what transpires in the end

Focuses on what actually happens by the conclusion.

the eventual outcome

Focuses on the final result, omitting the process of unfolding.

the final result

Highlights the concluding state, differing from the original phrase's implication of a process.

how matters resolve themselves

Suggests a self-correcting or self-organizing aspect to the resolution.

what the future holds

Emphasizes uncertainty and anticipation about the future.

the culmination of events

Stresses the final, decisive point in a series of occurrences.

the ultimate consequence

Highlights the long-term impact or effect.

the long-term effects

Highlights consequences that are visible over time.

FAQs

How can I use "how things turn out" in a sentence?

You can use "how things turn out" to express uncertainty or anticipation about the future, as in "We'll have to wait and see "how things turn out" after the negotiations".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "the eventual outcome" or "the way events unfold" instead of ""how things turn out"".

Is it appropriate to use "how things turn out" in academic writing?

While generally acceptable, ""how things turn out"" might be too informal for certain academic contexts. Opt for more precise language depending on the field.

What is the difference between "how things turn out" and "how things turned out"?

"How things turn out" refers to a future or uncertain result, while "how things turned out" refers to a past result. For example, "I wonder "how things turn out"" versus "I know "how things turned out"".