if things go

USAGE SUMMARY

"if things go" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in any context when you want to express an uncertain outcome for an event or process. For example, "If things go according to plan, we should be able to launch our new product in two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What if things go bad?

The New York Times

And if things go wrong?

The Economist

Yes – but not if things go wrong.

Independent

And that's if things go well.

The New Yorker

But what if things go wrong?

Independent

Major consequences if things go wrong.

Harvard Business Review

And that's if things go smoothly.

The New York Times

"If things go really bad, they change.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That risks disappointment and overreaction if things go wrong.

The Economist

If things go the other way, though, watch out.

The Economist

But if things go his way, it's the opposite.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "if things go" with a clear explanation of what constitutes a positive or negative outcome to ensure clarity for the reader. For example, "If things go as planned, we will launch the product next quarter."

Common error

Ensure that the clause following "if things go" is specific and provides a clear indication of the expected outcome. Vague statements can lead to confusion and weaken your argument. For instance, instead of saying "If things go well, we'll see", specify "If things go well, we anticipate a 20% increase in sales".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if things go" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a hypothetical scenario. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness, confirming its role in setting up a condition-consequence relationship within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if things go" is a versatile phrase used to introduce conditional statements about future events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence in both formal and informal contexts. The analysis reveals that it's frequently used in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Formal & Business" settings. When using this phrase, ensure the subsequent clause is clear and specific to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "assuming all goes well" or "if everything works out" can be used for variety, but "if things go" remains a widely understood and accepted way to express contingency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if matters proceed

Replaces "things" with "matters" and "go" with "proceed", offering a slightly more formal tone.

assuming all goes well

Expresses a similar sentiment of hopefulness with a different structural approach.

if everything works out

Focuses on the successful resolution of events, using the verb "works out".

should events unfold favorably

Uses more formal language, replacing "things" with "events" and "go" with "unfold favorably".

if the situation develops positively

Emphasizes a positive development of a particular situation.

contingent on a positive outcome

Highlights the dependency on a favorable result.

provided circumstances align

Indicates a requirement for specific circumstances to coincide favorably.

depending on how it plays out

Uses a more casual expression, focusing on the unfolding of events.

if the plan succeeds

Directly addresses the success of a specific plan.

given a fortunate turn of events

Highlights the role of luck and favorable circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "if things go" in a sentence?

Use "if things go" to introduce a conditional clause that depends on future events unfolding in a certain way. For example, "If things go according to plan, we will expand our operations next year".

What are some alternatives to "if things go"?

You can use alternatives such as "assuming all goes well", "if everything works out", or "provided everything proceeds smoothly".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "if things go"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "if things go" as it introduces a conditional clause. For example, "If things go as expected, the project will be completed on time."

What's the difference between "if things go well" and "when things go well"?

"If things go well" implies a condition that needs to be met for a certain outcome, while "when things go well" suggests a certainty that things will eventually go well. The former expresses uncertainty, while the latter implies confidence in a positive outcome.