it unfolded that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it unfolded that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation or event developed or became clear over time. Example: "As the investigation progressed, it unfolded that the suspect had an alibi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

— but that it unfolded that way because of Cheeks's impressive playoff résumé.

The New York Times - Sports

Legal experts said the prosecution would probably benefit from an audio recording of the incident as it unfolded that was turned over to the police by the man who admitted setting up the confrontation, Thomas Riccio, a four-time felon who spent eight years in prison on convictions for arson, prison escape and dealing in stolen property.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As it unfolds, that will also give us some insight into whether a special session will be appropriate or not".

The New York Times

We had said all along that poor field position and turnovers would make it very hard on us, and when the game unfolded that way, it was very hard on us".

The New York Times - Sports

To Schaefer, the manager focuses so intently on the game as it unfolds that he does not have the luxury of thinking far ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was there when our two kids were born [Harry, four, and one-year-old Frank, with his actress wife Louise Delamere] but I never imagined when I was watching it unfold that I'd be on the bed one day".

The Guardian

Suddenly, just here, it unfolds that it was perhaps their blind mother who was the one that, without seeing, had understood the most.

City, Territory and Architecture

But I felt if I could get inside that situation and let it unfold, that would be the right way to do it".

The New York Times - Arts

What he was after was not a documentary about Katrina as the people of New Orleans experienced it, but rather an inflected, interpreted record of how the rest of the country watched it unfold — that is, as the news media presented it, complete with resoundingly famous sound bites.

The New York Times - Arts

This one had some higher stakes so we let it naturally unfold that way".

Wikipedia

"It's how they unfold that makes them interesting".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it unfolded that", ensure the context provides enough information about the process of revelation or how the situation developed over time.

Common error

Avoid using "it unfolded that" to describe something that was immediately apparent or known. This phrase implies a gradual revealing, not an instantaneous discovery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it unfolded that" serves as a connector to introduce information or a fact that became apparent over time. This usage is supported by the Ludwig examples, where the phrase introduces a revelation that occurred as a result of events progressing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it unfolded that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce information that gradually becomes apparent. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is correct and acceptable. While not extremely common, it appears primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, conveying a sense of revelation over time. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "it became clear that" or "it emerged that". Use this phrase judiciously to accurately reflect the gradual unveiling of information, avoiding its misuse for immediate discoveries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it became clear that

Replaces "unfolded" with "became clear", focusing on the resulting clarity rather than the process of revealing.

it emerged that

Similar to "it unfolded that", but suggests a more sudden or unexpected revelation.

it was revealed that

Focuses on the act of revealing, implying an active disclosure.

it came to light that

Emphasizes the discovery of previously unknown information.

it transpired that

A more formal alternative, suggesting that events occurred and became known.

it was discovered that

Highlights the finding of information through investigation or observation.

it turned out that

Indicates a result or outcome that was different from what was expected.

the truth was that

Emphasizes the unveiling of the actual state of affairs, often after a period of uncertainty or deception.

as things progressed, it became apparent that

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention the progression of events leading to the revelation.

subsequently, it was learned that

Highlights a chronological order where one event follows another with the latter being the revelation of knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "it unfolded that" in a sentence?

Use "it unfolded that" to introduce information that became apparent gradually or over a period of time. For example, "As the investigation progressed, "it unfolded that" the suspect had an alibi".

What are some alternatives to "it unfolded that"?

Alternatives to "it unfolded that" include "it became clear that", "it emerged that", or "it was revealed that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it unfolded that" formal or informal?

"It unfolded that" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. While not overly colloquial, it's more common in news and general writing than in highly academic or scientific discourse. Consider "it transpired that" for more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it unfolded that" and "it happened that"?

"It happened that" indicates a coincidence or chance occurrence, while "it unfolded that" suggests a process of gradual revelation or development. Use "it happened that" when describing something unexpected and "it unfolded that" when describing how something became known over time.