currents of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "currents of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe the passage of time or the flow of events in life. Example: "As we reflect on our past, we can feel the currents of time shaping our experiences and memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Without a clock, without knowing how many hours have passed since the storm, the man floats on uncertain currents of time as well as water: "time seems too specific a word to him.

The Guardian - Books

Paarthurnax reveals that Alduin was not truly defeated in the past, but was cast into the currents of time by the use of an Elder Scroll in the hope was that he would never reemerge.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dependence of current on time of the ND Pd layer on InP interface in the presence of the 0.1% H2/N2 mixture.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Within the swift current of time, it finds eddies of memory and pools of regret.

The New York Times

A work of art not polemical in intent, maybe more elegiac, maybe just wanting to preserve a moment or a feeling, to swim upstream against the current of time..

The Guardian - Books

This dingy pre-war kaffeehaus, in Vienna's central old town, is not so genteel as Café Sperl, and it also somehow manages to exist outside the main current of time.

BBC

The two short films that Sissako made reflecting on his time abroad are remarkable because they address, head on, the new political currents of the time.

The Guardian - Film

The youthful currents of the time seem never to have reached either man.

The New Yorker

The 1960s were long over, and Jarman's next film plunged deep into the currents of the time.

The Guardian - Film

But the name-checking approach to the turbulent cultural currents of the time comes across as moderately quaint and superficial.

The New York Times

What Turgenev said about On the Eve often sounded affected by his desire to satisfy the currents of the time.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "currents of time", consider the metaphorical implications. It suggests that time has a flow and direction, influencing events and shaping experiences, similar to a river or ocean current.

Common error

Avoid using "currents of time" in purely literal contexts. The phrase is most effective when used to convey a sense of time's influence or the flow of events, not simply to indicate the passage of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "currents of time" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It conveys a metaphorical sense of time as a force that influences events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "currents of time" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe the passage and influence of time. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it is particularly effective in literary or reflective contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, while examples show it primarily used in News & Media, Scientific and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, consider its metaphorical implications and aim to convey a sense of time's flowing and shaping power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow of time

This alternative directly replaces "currents" with "flow", maintaining the metaphorical representation of time as a moving entity.

stream of time

This option creates an image of time as a continuous, flowing entity that carries events along.

tides of time

This alternative uses "tides" instead of "currents", evoking a similar image of cyclical and powerful movements affecting events.

passage of time

This phrase is a more literal and common way to describe time elapsing, losing some of the metaphorical richness.

sweep of time

This option suggests a broad and encompassing influence of time, indicating a significant period and its effects.

march of time

This expresses time as an ordered, unstoppable progression, focusing on its linear advancement.

influence of time

This phrase focuses on the effects and power that time exerts on events and people.

effects of time

This alternative highlights the consequences and changes brought about by the passing of time.

eras of time

This alternative emphasizes different periods or epochs within time, suggesting distinct phases.

periods of time

This is a more general term indicating specific durations or segments within the broader concept of time.

FAQs

What does "currents of time" mean?

The phrase "currents of time" is a metaphor that refers to the passage of time and its influence on events, experiences, and memories, much like a physical current shapes its surroundings.

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

You might use "currents of time" to describe how events are influenced by the era in which they occur or to reflect on how the past shapes the present. For example, "As we reflect on our past, we can feel the "currents of time" shaping our experiences and memories."

What can I say instead of "currents of time"?

You can use alternatives like "flow of time", "tides of time", or "passage of time" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "currents of time" a common expression?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "currents of time" is not as common as alternatives like "passage of time" or "flow of time". It is best used when aiming for a slightly more evocative or literary tone.