a slice of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slice of time" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a specific moment or period of time. Example: In the midst of their busy lives, they always made sure to carve out a slice of time each week to spend together as a family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I know it's important to keep in mind this is just a slice of time, and public opinion can change very quickly".

The New York Times

But what the article doesn't note is that having young children is just a slice of time for people who are living well into their 80s and 90s and plan to have productive work lives at least into their 70s.

The New York Times

Doctorow told the New York Times that his focus on American history was "not a conscious decision, but somewhere along the line I must have realised a slice of time was as valid an organising principle for a novel as a bit of acreage".

The Guardian - Books

Although they say they still don't have an answer--it could be protofeathers or a lizardlike trill--they were stunned by the new site, which represents a slice of time at the border of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods about 120 million to 130 million years ago.

Science Magazine

"You're walking through a slice of time," he said as he surveyed an excavated sinkhole that recently became his 19th cave.

Los Angeles Times

I think photography is an expression of a lust for life, and is a way to almost immortalize beauty to freeze a slice of time forever.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Writing books in a long sequence allowed him to treat each one as but a slice of narrative time.

The Guardian - Books

Set your boundaries, enjoy a slice of "me" time and I promise you will be more attentive, focused, productive and, without doubt, a better person to be around.

The Guardian

Apple products dominate the show but it's not the only brand in play, with BlackBerry, Canon, Dell and Sony also getting a slice of air time (to name just the brands I immediately noticed).

TechCrunch

Wendy and Lucky were fortunate to claim a slice of Jana Harris' time for an interview about the unique emotional experience of playing pet parent to a horse, specifically one who has been rehabilitated from the brink of crisis.

Huffington Post

"Photographs may be more memorable than moving images, because they are a neat slice of time, not a flow," Susan Sontag wrote in her book "On Photography".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slice of time" to emphasize capturing a specific moment or period with unique characteristics, rather than a long, continuous duration.

Common error

Avoid using "a slice of time" when referring to extended periods or eras; it's best suited for describing specific, relatively brief moments or periods that are distinct and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slice of time" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes a specific, limited period, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

20%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "a slice of time" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to denote a specific, often insightful, moment or period. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally correct and suitable for various contexts. The phrase is primarily used in News & Media, Science and Academia and is considered to have a neutral register, fitting for sophisticated writing and general discourse. While alternatives like "a moment in time" or "a snapshot of history" exist, "a slice of time" uniquely emphasizes representativeness. When writing, use "a slice of time" to capture something particular and avoid overusing it in describing very prolonged eras.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a moment in time

Focuses on a specific instant rather than a broader period.

a period of time

Emphasizes duration more than a snapshot.

a specific juncture

Highlights a particular point, possibly critical or decisive.

a window of opportunity

Suggests a limited timeframe to achieve something.

a snapshot of history

Implies a brief but representative view of the past.

an episode in history

Suggests an event within a broader historical context.

a historical fragment

Focuses on the partial and incomplete nature of historical evidence.

a moment frozen in time

Emphasizes the preservation and unchanging nature of a particular instant.

a passing phase

Highlights the transient and impermanent nature of a time period.

a portion of history

Stresses that only a piece of larger historical timeline is visible.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a slice of time" in a sentence?

Use "a slice of time" to refer to a specific, memorable moment or a short period that offers insight into a larger context. For example, "This photograph captures "a slice of time" during the historical event."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a moment in time", "a period of time", or "a snapshot of history".

Is it correct to use "a slice in time" instead of "a slice of time"?

While "a slice in time" might be understood, ""a slice of time"" is the more common and grammatically standard expression.

How does "a slice of time" differ from "a moment in time"?

"A slice of time" often implies a segment that is representative or insightful, while "a moment in time" simply refers to a particular instant, without necessarily implying significance.