considerable passage of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerable passage of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant duration that has elapsed between events or actions. Example: "After a considerable passage of time, the results of the experiment were finally revealed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both are able to distinguish one person from another even after a considerable passage of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A White House spokeswoman said at one point that because of the considerable passage of time, Judge Sotomayor could not estimate how many people she had counseled or remember their names.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Passage of Time" (Warner Bros).

The New York Times

The passage of time made nothing clearer.

The New York Times

Is it just the passage of time?

The Economist

The passage of time changes nothing.

The New York Times

Then there is the passage of time.

The New York Times - Books

Was it simply the passage of time?

The Guardian - Books

And the passage of time has helped.

The New York Times

Over the passage of time, tyranny revisits.

The Guardian

Time perception, experience or awareness of the passage of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "considerable passage of time", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or situation is being spanned by this duration. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable passage of time" when a simpler term like "a while" or "some time" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable passage of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration over which an event occurs or a condition persists. The phrase describes a notable length of time that has elapsed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "considerable passage of time" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a significant duration, primarily in neutral to formal contexts such as news and encyclopedic writing. Although infrequent, as Ludwig indicates, it effectively communicates the lapse of a notable amount of time. When writing, it's best to reserve its use for situations where a simpler phrase would not convey the same sense of duration. The provided alternatives, such as "significant duration" or "lengthy period", offer similar ways to express the concept while varying the emphasis slightly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant duration

Focuses on the length of time, emphasizing its importance.

lengthy period

Highlights the extended nature of the time frame.

extended interval

Stresses the gap between two points in time.

substantial lapse of time

Emphasizes the discontinuation or interruption before the time passed.

protracted delay

Highlights the slowness and undesirability of the time passing.

appreciable amount of time

Focuses on the time being easily noticeable and measurable.

marked time span

Emphasizes that the time span is noticeable or distinct.

long-term duration

Highlights the enduring or lasting nature of the time.

significant lapse

Highlights the discontinuation or interruption before the time passed being of importance.

notable time frame

Emphasizes that the time frame is worthy of attention.

FAQs

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

Use "considerable passage of time" to indicate a noticeably long duration between two events. For instance, "After a "considerable passage of time", new evidence finally surfaced."

What's a more concise way to say "considerable passage of time"?

Alternatives include "a significant period", "a long while", or "a substantial duration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "considerable passage of time" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "considerable passage of time" is more suited to formal or neutral writing. In informal contexts, phrases like "a long time" or "ages" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between ""considerable passage of time"" and "significant period of time"?

Both phrases are similar, but "considerable passage of time" subtly emphasizes the process of time elapsing, whereas "significant period of time" focuses on the importance or length of the duration itself.