if things take

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if things take" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential outcome or consequences of a situation, often implying uncertainty or conditionality. Example: "If things take a turn for the worse, we may need to reconsider our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

If things take off [here], great.

The Guardian - Sport

But if things take another turn for the worse, the big ones could end up back in the water.

The Economist

"If things take a turn for the better on our way back we can always turn around".

The New York Times

The other thing I would suggest is not to worry if things take time – you will get there in the end.

The Guardian - Money

Shedding 20,000 workers and adjusting capacity is a start for VW, but its unions and Germany's politicians leave it with little extra room to manoeuvre if things take another turn for the worse in the next few years.

The Economist

Although this has much to do with improving fundamentals, investors hungry for risky paper should perhaps ask who will call the shots if things take a turn for the worse.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But if things took a turn for the worse in, say, Northern Ireland and Kosovo simultaneously, it might have some hard choices to make.

The Economist

On Saturday night, as the storm began to rain down, a friend dropped off a cot so Mr. Fink would be near the microphone if things took a turn for the worse.

The New York Times

But if things took a turn for the worse, and inflation failed to pick up enough, the ECB could increase its bond-buying again and/or extend the scheme, he added.

The Guardian - Business

Britain was not only a constant presence in my fantasies, it also seemed to me a country that would be sure to take me in if things took a turn for the worse in Spain; a place where I would not feel entirely foreign.

The Guardian - Books

Based only on looks, I seek someone to be in front of me, someone that "looks decent" Someone that I think might come to my aid if things took a turn for the worst.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if things take", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the specific action or direction being referred to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the conditional statement.

Common error

Avoid using "if things take" without clearly outlining the expected or potential results. For example, instead of saying "If things take, we'll see", specify the potential outcomes: "If things take a positive turn, we can expand our operations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if things take" functions as a conditional clause opener, introducing a scenario that depends on how events or situations unfold. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI’s assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if things take" is a commonly used phrase that introduces a conditional scenario, projecting a degree of uncertainty about how events might unfold. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news media to wikis. When employing the phrase, clarity is key: ensure the sentence clearly indicates the action or direction implied by "take". Consider related phrases like "should things take" for more formal tone, and be mindful of specifying the potential consequences of the condition to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if circumstances take

Replaces "things" with "circumstances", providing a more formal tone.

if events take

Replaces "things" with "events" for specificity.

if developments take

Focuses on how changes might occur.

depending on how things take

Highlights that the outcome relies on the manner in which events unfold.

in the event that things take

Adds formality by using "in the event that" to introduce the conditional clause.

assuming things take

Emphasizes an assumption about how events will unfold.

in case things take

Highlights preparation for a possibility.

provided things take

Indicates a requirement or condition that must be met.

should things take

Uses inversion for a more formal and slightly less common way of expressing conditionality.

on the condition that things take

Emphasizes a strong requirement for a specific outcome.

FAQs

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

The phrase "if things take" introduces a conditional clause, suggesting a potential direction or outcome. For example, "If things take a turn for the better, we can proceed with the project".

What does "if things take" mean?

The phrase "if things take" generally means 'if events unfold in a particular way' or 'if a situation develops as expected or anticipated'. It implies a degree of uncertainty about future events.

What are some alternatives to "if things take"?

Alternatives include "assuming things go", "should circumstances develop", or "in the event that things proceed". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "if things take" or "if things took"?

"If things take" generally refers to a future or potential development, while "if things took" refers to a hypothetical past scenario. For example, "If things take a positive turn, we will invest more" versus "If things took a different turn, we would have invested more".