watch for developments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watch for developments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to stay alert for changes or updates in a situation. Example: "As the negotiations progress, we encourage everyone to watch for developments that may affect the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the time of Providence's equity sell-off, Lawler said not to expect an immediate departure by Kilar, but he did say to watch for developments along those lines to start taking shape within the 12 months that followed that move.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The pending framework for an agreement with Iran places considerable emphasis on inspection protocols, but these are designed to watch for development of weapons-related capabilities.

Huffington Post

And Fox will definitely be watching for developments in the Sanford case that could further erode the fun in the film.

The New York Times

"We need to watch closely for developments," said Walter Cintra Ferreira Junior, a coordinator of the Hospital Administration and Health Systems program at FGV University in Sao Paulo.

Vice

The animals were watched for development of extreme fatigue and/or dorsal limb paralysis before euthanization.

Cell Death and Disease

All patients were closely watched for development of any side effects such as fever, chills, allergic reactions and bleeding.

BMC Infectious Diseases

To do this, the clinical investigator should talk to colleagues, read journals or listen to podcasts, attend meetings, and watch for new developments and ideas in other disciplines.

Science Magazine

In the "Wild West," which our industry has so often been referred, watch for the development of paid subscription models for serialized programming.

Huffington Post

In these cases, I usually give a low dose (2 mg/day) and follow the patients closely (every 3 4 weeks) to watch for possible development of leukopenia (<4 × 10/l) or thrombocytopenia (<100 × 10/l), which mandate immediate treatment stop.

Blood Cancer Journal

Watch for the development of any lumps or sore, red areas in the breasts.

WikiHow

The family has moved out to the territory to watch out for development that is taking place without the Gitdumden clan's consent.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watch for developments" when you want to advise someone to be alert and informed about upcoming changes or progress in a particular situation.

Common error

While appropriate in professional and news-related settings, avoid using "watch for developments" in very casual conversations; simpler phrasing may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watch for developments" primarily functions as an imperative, urging the audience to pay attention to future changes or progress. As Ludwig highlights, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, encouraging vigilance regarding unfolding events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watch for developments" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that advises the audience to stay informed about upcoming changes or progress. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. While versatile, remember that simpler phrasing might be more suitable for very casual conversations. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "monitor for advancements" or "track ongoing progress" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor for advancements

Replaces "developments" with "advancements", focusing on positive progress.

track ongoing progress

Uses "track" instead of "watch", emphasizing a more active monitoring role; replaces "developments" with "progress".

observe unfolding events

Replaces "watch" with "observe" and "developments" with "unfolding events", providing a slightly more formal tone.

keep abreast of changes

Employs the idiom "keep abreast of", indicating staying informed about changes.

follow the evolution

Replaces "developments" with "evolution", suggesting a gradual process of change.

stay informed about updates

Focuses on receiving information regularly about changes.

be vigilant for progress

Highlights the need to be alert for positive changes.

remain attentive to alterations

Emphasizes careful attention to modifications.

look out for future trends

Focuses specifically on identifying emerging patterns.

anticipate further evolution

Highlights the act of predicting how things will change.

FAQs

How can I use "watch for developments" in a sentence?

You can use "watch for developments" to advise someone to stay informed about changes. For example, "As the negotiations progress, we encourage everyone to "watch for developments" that may affect the outcome."

What can I say instead of "watch for developments"?

You can use alternatives like "monitor for advancements", "track ongoing progress", or "observe unfolding events" depending on the context.

Is "watch for developments" formal or informal?

"Watch for developments" is generally considered neutral to formal. Simpler phrases might be better for very casual settings, whereas this phrase is appropriate in news, business, or academic contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "watch out for" instead of "watch for developments"?

"Watch out for" typically implies being cautious about potential dangers or negative outcomes, while "watch for developments" is more neutral, indicating an expectation of change or progress, without necessarily implying risk. So, "watch out for" is used when caution is needed.