that is how things stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is how things stand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the current situation or status of a matter, often implying that it is unchangeable or accepted. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, I can confidently say that is how things stand regarding the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At least that is how things stand if you believe Mr Livingstone.

Independent

That is how things stand in Akin's risky world: people adhere in unpredicted ways, then suddenly peel apart.

The New Yorker

That is how things stand in much of the Islamic geosphere to this day.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Laying down the law while failing to enforce it is no way to uphold order, but that is how things stood before America and Britain acted (almost) alone, and how they might still stand had France and the rest of the permanent five managed to stop them.

The Economist

And that is how things stood until we got an email on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Times

That's how things stand as we head into the crucial final third of the 2018 season.

The Telegraph

That's how things stand at present, but there is a logical argument against it which might see the Law changed in the next couple of years.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, that's how things stand in mid-2009.

TechCrunch

But that's how things stand, with the $749 iPhone XR (and I grant you, that's a pretty high entry-level price) turning heads at its September launch.

Forbes

So this is how things stand.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because this is how things stand: in order to advance, Eddie O'Sullivan's out-of-form team have to score a minimum of four tries against a side yet to concede a single one during this tournament, make sure they don't concede four themselves, and win by at least eight points.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is how things stand" to clearly and concisely communicate the present condition or status of a matter, especially when indicating acceptance or lack of immediate change.

Common error

Avoid using "that is how things stand" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "that is the current situation" or "this is where we are now" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is how things stand" functions as a declarative statement used to describe the current situation or state. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it presents a perspective on the current context. It is a way of summing up the current status.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that is how things stand" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the current situation, often implying acceptance or a lack of immediate change. Ludwig AI analysis shows that this expression is most commonly found in news and media and scientific contexts. While it's a useful phrase, it's important to vary your phrasing with alternatives such as "that is the current situation" or "this is where we are now" to avoid repetition. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase serves to inform and summarize, making it a practical expression in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's the current situation

Focuses on the present state without necessarily implying acceptance or finality.

that's the state of affairs

A more formal way to describe the current situation, often used in official contexts.

this is where we are now

Emphasizes the present moment and the progression to it.

this is the reality

Highlights the factual nature of the situation, often used when the reality is undesirable.

this is the situation as it stands

A slightly more verbose way of saying the same thing, adding a bit of formality.

as things currently stand

Similar meaning, but places emphasis on the temporal aspect.

that's how it is

A more concise and sometimes resigned way of stating the situation.

this is the present arrangement

Focuses on the organized or structured nature of the current situation.

the existing conditions are such that

A formal and descriptive alternative, suitable for detailed explanations.

the lay of the land is this

An idiomatic expression that paints a vivid picture of the current circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "that is how things stand" in a sentence?

You can use "that is how things stand" to describe the current state of affairs, often implying a sense of acceptance or finality. For example, "After the negotiations, that is how things stand between the two companies."

What's a more formal way to say "that is how things stand"?

A more formal alternative to "that is how things stand" is "that is the state of affairs", which is suitable for official reports or business communications.

Which is correct, "that is how things stand" or "that is how things are"?

Both "that is how things stand" and "that is how things are" are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "That is how things stand" implies a more settled or accepted condition, while "that is how things are" is a more general statement of fact.

What can I say instead of "that is how things stand" in a casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you can use phrases like "that's how it is" or "this is where we are now" as more relaxed alternatives to "that is how things stand".