"How things stand" vs "Where things stand"
I observed that these two obviously diomatic expressions are often used in texts.
1) How things stand "on / with regard to" something.
2) Where things stand "on / with regard to" something.
I would like just to have your confirmation that there is no difference between these two expressions at all and "where" is used in the meaning of "how" in second one. Though at the first glance I thought the second must express question in regard to stage of something's progress, i.e. is suitable for situations where something is supposed as started and someone wants to know what progress is achieved, while first is a question of general sense.
Top answer
Yes, there's the slightest, barely discernable difference in sense (the two are often used interchangeably). "How things stand" denotes the situation now, with no real suggestion that things have been happening over a period of time, while "where things stand" suggests that things have been happening over a period of time - and continue to happen - and you're essentially looking at where they are at the moment . For example: "Here's how things stand with regard to your admission to partnership in the (law) firm.
- Yes, there's the slightest, barely discernable difference in sense (the two are often used interchangeably).
- "How things stand" denotes the situation now, with no real suggestion that things have been happening over a period of time, while "where things stand" suggests that things have been happening over a period of time - and continue to happen - and you're essentially looking at where they are at the moment .
- For example: "Here's how things stand with regard to your admission to partnership in the (law) firm.
- " (This may have been considered by the firm over a period of time, but this is not specifically indicated.
- ) "Here's where things stand with regard to your admission to partnership in the firm.
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Yes, there's the slightest, barely discernable difference in sense (the two are often used interchangeably). "How things stand" denotes the situation now, with no real suggestion that things have been happening over a period of time, while "where things stand" suggests that things have been happening over a period of time - and continue to happen - and you're essentially looking at where the
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