change over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "change over time" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
An example sentence using this phrase is: "The way we communicate has changed over time due to advances in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"People change over time.

The New York Times

The symptoms can even change over time.

WikiHow

Will that change over time?

The New Yorker

Will this change over time?

The New Yorker

No. Values change over time.

The Economist

"I noticed the change over time.

The New York Times

A diagnosis may change over time, too.

The New Yorker

Of course, manners change over time.

The New York Times

A machine does not change over time.

The New Yorker

But that could also change over time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Expected risk may change over time.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "change over time" when you want to emphasize the process of alteration or evolution, rather than a static difference. It's useful for describing trends, developments, and transformations.

Common error

Avoid using "change over time" when you're simply comparing two different states at different points. Ensure your context involves a continuous or gradual alteration, rather than isolated snapshots.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change over time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate when or how a change occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Academia

25%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "change over time" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes the process of something becoming different or evolving across a period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts such as academia, news, science, and general discourse. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing gradual transformations, trends, and developments. While alternatives like "evolution over time" or "development over time" exist, "change over time" remains a fundamental and highly adaptable phrase for describing dynamic processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolution over time

Replaces "change" with "evolution", emphasizing a gradual development.

development over time

Substitutes "change" with "development", highlighting progress or growth.

progression over time

Replaces "change" with "progression", indicating a forward movement or advancement.

shift over time

Uses "shift" instead of "change", suggesting a more abrupt or noticeable alteration.

transformation over time

Employs "transformation" instead of "change", denoting a fundamental alteration in form or nature.

variation over time

Uses "variation" instead of "change", emphasizing differences or fluctuations.

fluctuation over time

Replaces "change" with "fluctuation", suggesting irregular variations.

metamorphosis over time

Substitutes "change" with "metamorphosis", indicating a significant and often sudden transformation.

evolution through the years

Replaces "over time" with "through the years", providing a more poetic or reflective tone.

progression through time

Reorders the phrase and replaces "over time" with "through time", creating a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

What does "change over time" mean?

The phrase "change over time" refers to the process by which something becomes different or evolves across a period, emphasizing the alteration or development that occurs gradually.

How can I use "change over time" in a sentence?

You can use "change over time" to describe how something has transformed or developed across a period. For example, "The landscape has undergone significant "transformation over time" due to climate change."

What are some alternatives to "change over time"?

Alternatives include "evolution over time", "development over time", or "progression over time", each emphasizing different aspects of the alteration or development process.

Is there a difference between "change over time" and "changes over time"?

"Change over time" is a general phrase describing the process of alteration, while "changes over time" refers to specific instances or types of changes. The former emphasizes the overall transformation, the latter highlights particular modifications.