advent of the computer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advent of the computer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the arrival or introduction of computers and their impact on society or technology. Example: "The advent of the computer revolutionized the way we process information and communicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It was not until the advent of the computer and computer simulations that computation time was reduced to less than the forecast period itself.

Wikipedia

Though first attempted in the 1920s, it was not until the advent of the computer and computer simulation that computation time was reduced to less than the forecast period itself.

Wikipedia

The advent of the computer made such an approach feasible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the advent of the computer, graphic designers are able to make ersatz (and often bad) illustrations with digital montage or collage programs.

The New York Times - Books

This is a game I used to play in my youth, but which, thanks to the advent of the computer, I had completely forgotten about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was one of the earliest movies to deal with the issue of labour anxiety amid the advent of the computer age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The advent of the computer-age in the mid to late 20th century brought the development of sophisticated scientific equipment for myriad chemical analyses.

HardwareX

Describing some of the riches at a recent meeting in Malaga, called Zero music: Music after the advent of the computer-composer, he was constantly (and tellingly) correcting himself: "What he – I mean, it – has done here is…".

BBC

With the advent of the personal computer, as football players made headlines with steroid use and brain damage, computer geeks were becoming millionaires in Silicon Valley.

Huffington Post

The advent of the personal computer in the late 20th century gave solitaires a new lease on life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I compiled that in the 1970s, long before the advent of the personal computer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of computers, use "advent of the computer" to highlight the transformative nature of their arrival. For example, "The "advent of the computer" revolutionized data processing".

Common error

Be mindful of using redundant phrasing. Avoid sentences like "Since the "advent of the computer age", computers have become..." as the term "advent" already implies a beginning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advent of the computer" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the arrival and subsequent impact of computers, a concept Ludwig confirms through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "advent of the computer" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the arrival and transformative impact of computer technology. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions to contextualize changes and developments following this period. While not exceedingly common, its usage is generally neutral to formal, suitable for academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. Alternatives include "arrival of computers" and "introduction of computers". When using this phrase, avoid redundancy by ensuring it adds specific meaning to the sentence and doesn't merely restate the obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrival of computers

Replaces "advent" with "arrival" and simplifies the noun form.

introduction of computers

Substitutes "advent" with "introduction", emphasizing the start of use.

dawn of the computer age

Uses a more metaphorical term, "dawn", to suggest the beginning of an era.

beginning of the computer era

Directly states the commencement of the computer age.

coming of the computer

A slightly more informal way of describing the introduction of computers.

rise of computer technology

Focuses on the increasing prevalence and influence of computers.

emergence of computer systems

Highlights the appearance and development of computer systems.

inception of computer use

Uses a more formal term, "inception", for the start of computer usage.

genesis of computers

Employs "genesis" to denote the origin or creation of computers.

the computer revolution

Highlights the transformative impact rather than just the arrival.

FAQs

How can I use "advent of the computer" in a sentence?

You can use "advent of the computer" to refer to the beginning or arrival of computers and their impact on society. For example, "With the "advent of the computer", information processing became significantly faster".

What can I say instead of "advent of the computer"?

You can use alternatives like "arrival of computers", "introduction of computers", or "dawn of the computer age" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "advent of computers" or "advent of the computer"?

"Advent of the computer" typically refers to the general arrival and impact of computers as a whole. "Advent of computers" is also grammatically correct but less usual. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the overall phenomenon or specific computer technologies.

What distinguishes "advent of the computer" from "invention of the computer"?

"Invention of the computer" refers to the specific moment when the first computers were created. "Advent of the computer", however, describes the broader period when computers became widely available and began to impact society.