it would unfold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would unfold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how a situation or event is expected to develop or reveal itself over time. Example: "As the story progresses, it would unfold in unexpected ways, keeping the readers engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Almost every day, as I'd open to anger and feel its full force, it would unfold into fear -- for our world.

Huffington Post

They both insist that's how it would unfold.

The New York Times - Magazine

I never expected it would unfold like this".

The New York Times - Sports

He chooses to bury himself in his work instead, but he was clearly disappointed with the Brexit result and how it would unfold.

The Guardian

Officials said today that what made the review particularly difficult was that the marketplace was changing so rapidly and that it was impossible to know how it would unfold.

The New York Times

I didn't know the exact way it would unfold.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I promised my saintly editor that I would unfold the hypothesis this week.

Forbes

When those indictments were issued, no one could have predicted how events would unfold; in retrospect, it is evident that the indictments' delegitimising effects had important consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

In its first official analysis into how Brexit would unfold in practice, the government warned that it would hit "financial markets, investment and the value of the pound".

The Guardian

It was to be a taste of what would unfold in the rest of the fight.

Independent

Each week Carlos Delgado would unfold a little lace doily and place it on the baby grand piano, smoothing it with wrinkled, spotted hands.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would unfold" when describing a process or situation that will naturally develop or become clear over time, often without specific intervention.

Common error

Avoid using "it would unfold" to describe events that happen instantly or very quickly. The phrase implies a gradual and progressive revelation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would unfold" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a prediction, expectation, or hypothetical scenario regarding how something will develop or become revealed over time. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts ranging from personal feelings to international events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would unfold" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing the progression or development of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media and formal settings. Its usage implies a gradual revelation or evolution, making it inappropriate for instantaneous occurrences. While not exceptionally frequent, the phrase offers a nuanced way to discuss how scenarios are expected to transpire, with alternatives like "it would develop" and "it would emerge" providing subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would play out

Emphasizes the complete sequence of events as they happen.

it would develop

Focuses on the gradual growth or evolution of something over time.

it would progress

Focuses on forward movement and advancement in a sequence of events.

it would evolve

Suggests a more complex and transformative process of change.

it would emerge

Highlights the appearance or rise of something from a less clear state.

it would come to pass

Emphasizes the eventual occurrence of something, often with a sense of inevitability or destiny.

it would come about

Refers to how something happens or originates.

it would transpire

Highlights how something becomes known or proves to be the case, often unexpectedly.

it would unravel

Suggests a process of becoming undone or revealed, often referring to a mystery or complex situation.

it would materialize

Indicates the process of something becoming real or visible.

FAQs

How can I use "it would unfold" in a sentence?

You can use "it would unfold" to describe how a series of events is expected to develop or how a situation will gradually become clear. For example, "No one knew how the negotiations "would unfold"".

What can I say instead of "it would unfold"?

You can use alternatives like "it would develop", "it would transpire", or "it would emerge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it would unfold" or "it will unfold"?

"It would unfold" often implies a hypothetical or past scenario, while "it will unfold" indicates a future certainty. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "it would unfold" and "it will unfold"?

"It would unfold" suggests a conditional or hypothetical scenario, possibly in the past, whereas "it will unfold" indicates a future event that is expected to happen. For example: "If we proceed this way, "it would unfold" like this". Instead, "The story "it will unfold" in the next chapter".