how things will go

USAGE SUMMARY

"how things will go" is a correct sentence in written English.
It is used to refer to some sort of plan or expected outcome. For example: "We need to have a discussion about how things will go for the next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I'm just not sure how things will go".

The Guardian

And even if that dancer performs, there's no predicting just how things will go.

The New York Times - Arts

Do we have any better clues how things will go from now on?

The Guardian - Sport

It remains to be seen how things will go from there.

The Guardian

You never know how things will go when people have to balance individual (job search) and group (MBA work) goals.

The Economist

And this may well be how things will go when we get technology that can do that.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The question now among television executives, producers and media watchdog groups is how far things will go -- and how far the public will allow them to go.

The New York Times

Apple CEO Tim Cook also suggested that we'd see Apple begin to open up more APIs for developers to take more advantage of additional system and device features, but the extent of just how far things will go isn't known, though we've already suggested some possible areas, including Siri.

TechCrunch

HALFWAY through the year -- which has been more or less awful for New Jersey's office real estate market, as was 2002 -- the question increasingly being asked concerns how much longer things will go on like this.

The New York Times

I wouldn't tolerate such sore days now, but on mornings such as these I fear that things will go back to how they were.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I can't really see anything changing, maybe we will get involved in the Ebola response, but after it's over things will go back to how they've always been.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "how things will go" when outlining potential scenarios or discussing possible outcomes in both personal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "how things will go" when you have definitive knowledge of the outcome. This phrase is best suited for situations involving uncertainty or speculation, not established facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things will go" functions as a clause, typically a noun clause, providing information about a future course of action or development. It often serves as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating uncertainty or speculation as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things will go" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing uncertainty or anticipation about future events. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function primarily revolves around speculation and planning, frequently appearing in news and media, science, and general discourse. While versatile, it's crucial to use it when the outcome is genuinely uncertain to avoid misrepresenting the level of knowledge. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively use this phrase to convey the intended meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how events will unfold

Highlights the progressive and sequential nature of occurrences.

how the situation will develop

Focuses on the evolving nature of a specific set of circumstances.

what will happen

Focuses on the specific events that are expected to occur, omitting the broader sense of process.

the way things will play out

Suggests a more dramatic or theatrical unfolding of events.

what the outcome will be

Emphasizes the final result or consequence rather than the process leading to it.

how matters will proceed

Indicates a more formal or structured progression of affairs.

the course of events

Refers to the direction or sequence of occurrences, often suggesting a predetermined path.

what the future holds

Implies a broader, more uncertain perspective on forthcoming events.

what is to come

A more concise and general reference to future happenings.

the shape of things to come

Implies a more significant or transformative set of future events.

FAQs

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

You can use "how things will go" to express uncertainty about the future. For instance, "We're not sure "what will happen", but we're prepared for any outcome", or "It remains to be seen "how events will unfold" after the negotiations".

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

In formal contexts, you might consider alternatives such as "the course of events" or "how matters will proceed". These options lend a more professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "how things will go" in business writing?

Yes, "how things will go" is acceptable in business writing, especially when discussing potential scenarios or future developments. For example, "We need to analyze "the way things will play out" to make informed decisions".

What's the difference between "what will happen" and "how things will go"?

"What will happen" focuses on specific events or outcomes, while "how things will go" implies a broader view, considering the entire process and development of a situation. Essentially, "what will happen" asks about the outcome, and "how things will go" considers the path to that outcome. You can also say what the outcome will be