how things unfold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how things unfold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the way events develop or progress in a particular situation. For example: "We'll just have to wait and see how things unfold in the coming weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It depends on how things unfold".

The New York Times

"But you're watching to see how things unfold".

The New York Times - Sports

We'll see how things unfold over the next few days".

The New York Times - Sports

"It will depend on how things unfold militarily".

The New York Times

Asked about the workings of the Iraqi Governing Council, she replied, "A lot of this is going to depend on how things unfold on the ground".

The New York Times - Magazine

"There's a vibe in a workshop that is hard to imagine, the way the directors and writers and musicians and actors and choreographer interact, and how things unfold, say, once script rewrites come in.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But what most of the show's followers did not realize was that what seemed to be happening on TV that night was not exactly how things unfolded after the cameras stopped rolling.

The New York Times

It includes practical information about how to obtain domestic-partnership rights, as well as tips to help couples figure out whether they are ready for unmarriage, such as "It would be a rude surprise to find out a year from now that your partner saw cohabitation as an unspoken engagement when you thought it would be a good way to save on rent and see how things unfolded".

The New Yorker

Here's how things unfolded on stage.

TechCrunch

That's how things unfolded in 2010, when LIGO researchers learned at the last minute that a possible signal was in fact a blind injection.

Science Magazine

Lin invited her to Paris to stay in his hotel, making a writing assignment out of how things unfolded between them.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how things unfold" to maintain a neutral and objective tone when discussing future or ongoing events. It's particularly effective when you want to avoid speculation or impose a particular narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "how things unfold" when a literal unfolding action is implied. The phrase is generally used metaphorically to describe the development of events, not physical actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things unfold" functions as a relative clause, often serving as a noun clause acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Example: 'We'll see how things unfold in the coming days and weeks'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things unfold" is a versatile phrase used to describe the progression and development of events. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It commonly functions as a relative clause, often expressing uncertainty or anticipation. While it maintains a neutral register, it's most frequently found in news and media, although it can also be applied in science and business contexts. Remember to use it metaphorically, focusing on event development rather than literal unfolding actions. Alternatives like "how events transpire" or "how situations evolve" can be considered for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how events transpire

Replaces "unfold" with "transpire", emphasizing the occurrence or happening of events.

how matters develop

Focuses on the development of "matters" rather than "things", suggesting a more formal or serious context.

how situations evolve

Emphasizes the evolutionary aspect of a situation, highlighting gradual change.

the way events play out

Uses a more idiomatic expression to describe the unfolding of events, suggesting a theatrical or staged progression.

how circumstances progress

Focuses on the forward movement of circumstances, highlighting the step-by-step nature of the progression.

the course that events take

Emphasizes the direction or path that events follow, suggesting a predetermined or influenced trajectory.

how the scenario unfolds

Specifically refers to a "scenario", limiting the scope to a planned or hypothetical situation.

the way things pan out

Uses a more casual and idiomatic expression, suggesting a less formal or serious context.

how developments occur

Replaces "unfold" with "occur", stressing the factual happening of developments.

the progression of events

More noun-focused, describing events generally advancing.

FAQs

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

You can use "how things unfold" to describe the way events progress or develop. For example: "We'll monitor "how things unfold" during the negotiations".

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

A more formal alternative would be "how matters develop", which is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "how things unfold" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "how things unfold" is appropriate for academic writing, particularly when analyzing events or processes. It maintains a neutral and objective tone.

What are some common synonyms for "unfold" in the context of "how things unfold"?

Common synonyms include "how events transpire", "how situations evolve", or "how circumstances progress", each with slightly different nuances.