things are shaping up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are shaping up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation is improving or developing positively. Example: "After several weeks of hard work, it seems that things are shaping up for the project, and we are on track to meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"The way things are shaping up right now, it's looking very messy".

The New York Times

The way things are shaping up, we may find that over the next 10 months, the coalition's reputation for economic competence takes a serious knock.

The Guardian - Business

"The way things are shaping up now," Mr. Kennedy said, "we're not going to lose a single seat for lack of money".

The New York Times

"The upward revisions are encouraging, though things are shaping up to be a bit of a disappointment this quarter," said Ryan Sweet, a senior economist at Moody's Analytics in West Chester, Pa.

The New York Times

The Wasps centre Elliot Daly and the Saracens lock Maro Itoje were the most prominent of them and the way things are shaping up, they will have to wait a little longer for their first international caps.

Independent

So even if Sandoval's build seems to garner as much attention as his bat — even if he looks bigger than ever — the man nicknamed Kung Fu Panda seems content with the way things are shaping up.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Yet Dorothy wasn't that bothered because she could already see how things were shaping up.

The Guardian - Books

Even before Serena Williams quickly and easily seized control of her first-round match Tuesday, things were shaping up rather well for her at the French Open. .

Los Angeles Times

— M.A. From the way this thing is shaping up, it looks likely that two good friends, Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods, will be in Saturday's final pairing.

The New York Times

Second, with the arrest of Julian Assange on dubious-sounding sexual assault charges - and now the attack on Mastercard's web-site, apparently by Assange supporters, the whole thing is shaping up into an unpredictable conflict between western governments and internet-based anarchists.

The Guardian

Jeremy's resistance to "the star thing" is shaping up to be a monumental task.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are shaping up" to convey a sense of optimism about the direction in which events are unfolding. This phrase is best suited when you want to communicate that progress is being made and that a positive outcome is likely.

Common error

While "things are shaping up" is acceptable in many situations, it may be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "the situation is improving" or "progress is being made" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are shaping up" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that a situation is developing positively or according to plan. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a common way to express optimism about current progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things are shaping up" is a common and generally correct idiom used to express that a situation is developing positively. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it's most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically sound and widely used, it may be too informal for certain professional settings. Consider alternatives like "the situation is improving" or "progress is being made" in more formal scenarios. The examples found on Ludwig provide a clear picture of its usage, confirming its validity and versatility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things are progressing well

This alternative focuses on the advancement of events towards a desired outcome.

things are falling into place

This emphasizes the alignment and organization of elements within a situation.

things are coming together

Highlights the unification of disparate parts into a cohesive whole.

developments are unfolding favorably

This phrase puts emphasis on the positive evolution of the circumstances.

the situation is improving

Focuses directly on the betterment of current conditions.

preparations are advancing smoothly

This phrase highlights a positive progression of a preparation phase.

plans are solidifying

This indicates that the plans are becoming more secure and defined.

the outlook is promising

This phrase highlights a positive forecast for the future.

the future is looking bright

Emphasizes a positive expectation for what is to come.

the stage is being set

This alternative gives a picture of readiness and anticipation.

FAQs

What does "things are shaping up" mean?

The phrase "things are shaping up" means that a situation is developing or progressing in a positive or expected way. It suggests that progress is being made and that a favorable outcome is likely.

What can I say instead of "things are shaping up"?

You can use alternatives like "things are progressing well", "things are falling into place", or "the situation is improving" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "things are shaping up" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, "things are shaping up" might be considered too informal for some formal settings. In such cases, consider using more professional alternatives like "progress is being made" or "the situation is developing favorably."

How can I use "things are shaping up" in a sentence?

You can use "things are shaping up" to express optimism about a developing situation. For example: "After a slow start, things are shaping up nicely for the project" or "With the new management in place, things are shaping up for a successful turnaround."