unfold

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unfold' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the process of something spreading out, or when you want to describe a situation or event as it develops. Example sentence: We watched as the story unfolded on the news.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A clash of fierce rivals, and one of many which will unfold over the next eight days.

The Guardian - Sport

Watching the subsequent derby unfold, however, it was tempting to conclude that De Prà's mission must have succeeded after all.

The Guardian - Sport

Sitting in the middle of the scene, he just sits still, watching the action unfold, enjoying a drink.

The Guardian

The crisis that destroyed the company months after a glowing audit took just four weeks to unfold.

The Guardian - Opinion

I unfold a fresh sheet from the trolley, smooth it out.

The Guardian

He's watched the seasonal process unfold every year: the ramp-up in promotional hijab campaigns and pointed televised debates as the weather starts to warm and wardrobe begins to malfunction.

The Guardian

The BBC enjoyed its traditional general election ratings dominance last night, with BBC1 attracting about half the audience – just over 4 million viewers – watching political events unfold across various channels between 10pm and 1am.

The Guardian

We assume that we're just at home watching all of this gruesome action unfold on screen passively.

The Guardian

People like watching a crisis unfold, and Ebola sits squarely with popular expectations of Africa.

The Guardian

What does happen after that could be even worse than what would unfold if we just allowed the negative climate impacts in the near term to materialise".

The Guardian

Before sunset hundreds of the hawkers had gathered to watch the drama unfold.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, prefer "unfold" to simpler alternatives like 'happen' or 'occur' when you want to convey a sense of gradual revelation or complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "unfold" in the past tense when the event is still in progress. Instead, use the present continuous tense ("is unfolding") to indicate an ongoing development.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unfold" is as a verb. It typically functions as an intransitive verb when describing how events develop or as a transitive verb when describing the action of opening something folded. Examples from Ludwig show its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "unfold" is a versatile verb used to describe the gradual development of events, the revelation of information, or the physical act of opening something that is folded. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its usage is particularly common in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. To enhance your writing, remember that while "unfold" often suggests a gradual process, avoiding past tense when the event is in progress is also key. Consider alternatives such as "develop", "evolve", and "transpire" to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop

Emphasizes gradual progression and evolution of events or situations.

evolve

Highlights the gradual change and transformation over time.

transpire

Focuses on the occurrence or taking place of an event.

materialize

Stresses the coming into being or reality of something.

come to pass

Indicates the fulfillment or realization of something.

emerge

Highlights the appearance or rise of something new.

be revealed

Focuses on making something known or visible.

be disclosed

Emphasizes the act of uncovering or making something public.

spread out

Focuses on the physical expansion or extension of something.

extend

Highlights the increasing length or reach of something.

FAQs

How can I use "unfold" in a sentence?

You can use "unfold" to describe how events develop over time. For instance, "We watched as the mystery "unfolded" before our eyes".

What are some alternatives to "unfold" when describing an event?

Alternatives include "develop", "evolve", or "transpire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the plan unfolded perfectly"?

Yes, that's a correct usage. It means the plan developed or progressed exactly as intended. You could also say "the plan "materialized" perfectly".

What's the difference between "unfold" and "reveal"?

"Unfold" typically implies a gradual development or revelation, while "reveal" suggests a more immediate disclosure. For example, a story "unfolds", but a secret is "revealed".