how things will play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how things will play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the outcome or development of a situation or event. Example: "We can only wait and see how things will play in the upcoming negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Nobody can be sure how things will play out.

The New Yorker

It's hard to predict exactly how things will play out if Prop 37 is approved.

The New York Times - Magazine

We don't know how things will play out in Massachusetts more than a year from now.

The New York Times

There's no telling how things will play out in the United States.

The New York Times

The market for Big Data technology will be a competitive hotbed for years, and how things will play out is uncertain.

The New York Times

To begin with, although the global trends are reasonably predictable, there's more uncertainty about exactly how things will play out on the local level.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

I'm curious how certain things will play: there's a couple of New Jersey jokes and I'm like, 'That's going to be huge…'" Miranda rolls his eyes.

The Guardian

But these forecasts are published each day, and so it's our duty to also give you our best estimates in real time about how things will eventually play out.

The New York Times

Even jaded viewers who have gathered vague ideas from clues planted by screenwriters Rock Shaink and Keith Kjornes about how things will ultimately play out might find a genuine surprise or two in store.

Los Angeles Times

I don't really know how the property damage thing will play out.

The New York Times

Watchdogs have been anxiously waiting for months to see how this whole Trump thing will play out, but we already have a pretty good idea of what a licensed presidency looks like.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how things will play", ensure that the subject of the sentence is clear. The reader should understand which 'things' you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "how things will play" when you are already confident about the outcome. This phrase implies a degree of unpredictability, so choose more definite language if the result is already known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things will play" functions as a relative clause introducing uncertainty or speculation about future events. It sets the stage for discussing potential developments and outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things will play" is a commonly used phrase to express uncertainty or anticipation about future events. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting well in news, academic, and business contexts. While "how things will play" is generally appropriate, it's important to consider its level of formality, adjusting your language to suit the specific context. Remember that alternatives such as "how events will unfold" or "what the outcome will be" might be more suitable in certain formal situations. The phrase's widespread use and varied applications make it a valuable part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how events will unfold

Focuses on the step-by-step progression of events, rather than the ultimate outcome.

how the situation will develop

Emphasizes the process of the situation changing over time.

how it will all pan out

An informal idiom that suggests a final result, often unexpected.

what the outcome will be

Directly asks about the end result, without focusing on the process.

how the chips will fall

An idiom that implies an element of chance or unpredictability in the final result.

how matters will resolve themselves

Suggests that the situation will find its own resolution, perhaps without intervention.

how the future will transpire

A more formal way of discussing future events unfolding.

what the repercussions will be

Focuses specifically on the consequences or after-effects.

how this will manifest

Implies a tangible or observable result of something.

what the end result will look like

Focuses on the final state or appearance of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "how things will play" to express uncertainty or anticipation about the unfolding of a situation, as in: "It's difficult to predict "how things will play out" in the negotiations."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "how events will unfold" or "how the situation will develop", which convey a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

Is "how things will play" appropriate for academic writing?

While acceptable, "how things will play" might be considered informal for some academic contexts. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "what the outcome will be" for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

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

"How things will play" implies a process or sequence of events leading to a result, whereas "what will happen" is a more direct and general inquiry about the future. The former focuses on the unfolding, while the latter focuses on the eventual outcome.