how things will develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "how things will develop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing plans, ideas, or forecasts for the future. For example: "We'll have to wait and see how things will develop over the course of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Lets see how things will develop in the future.

The Guardian

It doesn't take a genius to see how things will develop.

The Guardian - Opinion

Writer briefly meets Sharon, who says, "We don't know how things will develop with Iran or Iraq or Syria.

The New Yorker

As for how things will develop specifically in the future, the answer to this question should come from practice in the future".

The New Yorker

"They are anxious about a potential U.S. strike on Syria and are now just across the border waiting to see how things will develop," said one of the officers, estimating their number at nearly 40,000.

The Guardian

And another character named Oona replies that we're probably already living in one of many parallel universes created as "a series of experiments just to see how things will develop" — whether "we'll end up destroying ourselves with nuclear weapons or become a giant hippie commune, or whatever".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Things will develop, for the good or the bad.

The Guardian - Sport

I remain optimistic that things will develop well.

The Guardian - Business

Things will develop.

WikiHow

Temporal data is data about, not just how things are right now, but also about how things used to be and how things will become or might become.

Managing Time in Relational Databases How to Design, Update and Query Temporal Data

Do you worry about how things will be interpreted?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes what "things" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Be specific about the subject matter to maintain clarity for the reader.

Common error

While versatile, the phrase "how things will develop" can sometimes sound too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and structured language when formality is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things will develop" functions as a relative clause introducing a noun clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to discuss future plans, ideas, or forecasts, often expressing a sense of anticipation or uncertainty about the unfolding of events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how things will develop" serves as a versatile tool to express anticipation and uncertainty about future events. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and suitable for discussing plans or forecasts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for a wide range of communications. Related phrases, such as "how events will unfold" and "how the situation will evolve", offer alternatives for varying levels of formality. When using "how things will develop", ensure clarity by specifying what "things" refers to and avoid overuse in highly formal settings to maintain the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how events will unfold

Focuses on the progression of specific occurrences, emphasizing a sequential revelation of happenings.

how the situation will evolve

Highlights a gradual transformation and adaptation of circumstances over time.

how matters will progress

Suggests a forward movement or advancement in a more formal context.

what the future holds

Offers a broader perspective on potential outcomes and destinies.

what will happen next

Emphasizes immediate subsequent events in a more narrative manner.

how the scenario will play out

Implies a staged or predetermined unfolding of events.

how the game will unfold

Evokes an unfolding action with many consequences, for example a sports game or a negotiation.

the way things will pan out

Indicates a final result or conclusion after a period of development.

how the story will progress

Highlights the evolution of a narrative and can be used in contexts as reporting news.

how the process will unfold

Focuses specifically on the procedural aspects and their ordered execution.

FAQs

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

You can use "how things will develop" to express uncertainty about the future. For example, "We will monitor "how things will develop" before making a final decision."

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

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "how events will unfold" or "how the situation will evolve" instead of "how things will develop".

Is it always appropriate to use "how things will develop" in professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "how things will develop" might be perceived as too casual for certain professional settings. Assess your audience and the overall tone of your writing to determine if a more formal expression is suitable.

What is the difference between "how things will develop" and "what will happen"?

"How things will develop" suggests a process or evolution over time, whereas "what will happen" simply asks about the eventual outcome. The former implies a more complex unfolding of events.