a passage of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passage of time" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase that is often used to describe the passing or flow of time. Some examples of when you can use it are: - "As I sat by the river, watching the water flow, I couldn't help but reflect on the passage of time." - "It's amazing how a simple photograph can capture a passage of time, freezing a moment that will never come again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Participants completed four types of temporal task; verbal estimation and temporal generalisation, a retrospective timing task and a passage of time judgement task.

Acta Psychologica

This is a passage of time which Liverpool shouldn't have had to endure".

Independent

Similarly, sleep is an acquired behavior as well, something that children learn over a passage of time.

University of California, Berkeley

What we need is a passage of time to get this club back in the Premier League.

Independent

As he writes in his novel: "You witness a passage of time that outstrips its chronological equivalent.

The New York Times

Gripping the ropes that bind luggage to this vehicle, you witness a passage of time that outstrips its chronological equivalent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Twenty-five years ago--a passage of time that is passage tofacknowledge--I wrotimen arthate about Bob Newhart for my college newspaper.

Huffington Post

The plot is the stuff of everyday life: financial worries, relatives' visits, a timid suitor, a rapid passage of time.

The New York Times

The long branch leading to B. mallei strains suggests a long passage of time before a rapid radiation led to the extant population.

BMC Biology

Thus, no doubt, to put the particular outcomes out in the universe, data should be delivered by a larger sample of students in a longer passage of time.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

After what I prayed was a reasonable passage of time, I fled, shooting him a polite and cowardly follow-up message.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical trends or changes, use "a passage of time" to emphasize the gradual evolution or transformation that occurs over an extended duration.

Common error

Be mindful of using overly descriptive language alongside "a passage of time". Phrases like "long passage of time" can sometimes be redundant. Consider whether "passage of time" alone sufficiently conveys the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passage of time" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a period or duration and is often used to indicate change or transition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passage of time" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to denote a duration or period, often with an implication of change or transition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across diverse contexts including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, be mindful of avoiding redundancy, and consider the subtle nuances of related phrases like ""lapse of time"" or "the march of time" to precisely convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the march of time

Uses a more active verb ("march") to emphasize the relentless progression of time.

the flow of time

Emphasizes the continuous and smooth movement of time, like a river.

lapse of time

Focuses on the interval between two points, rather than the ongoing process.

span of time

Highlights the duration or extent of a particular period.

period of time

A more general and neutral way to refer to a specific duration.

course of time

Suggests a sequence of events unfolding over a certain duration.

progression of time

Highlights the forward movement and development associated with time.

duration

A shorter, more concise term referring to the length of something in time.

temporal extent

A more formal and technical way to refer to the length or scope of time.

temporal dimension

Views time as a dimension, similar to spatial dimensions, highlighting its role in defining reality.

FAQs

How can I use "a passage of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a passage of time" to describe the experience or effect of time moving forward. For example, "The old house showed the effects of "a passage of time"".

What are some alternatives to "a passage of time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the flow of time", "lapse of time", or "duration".

Is it correct to say "a long passage of time"?

While grammatically correct, "a long passage of time" can sometimes be redundant. Consider if simply using ""a passage of time"" adequately conveys the intended meaning.

What does "a passage of time" imply?

The phrase ""a passage of time"" typically implies change, duration, and the movement from one point to another. It can also suggest reflection on events that have occurred.