elapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'elapsed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the amount of time that has passed between two events or moments. For example, "The elapsed time between the start of the race and the finish was two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Refugee advocates criticised the amount of time that elapsed between spotting the boat and sending vessels to intercept it after the deaths were revealed.

The Guardian

A whirlwind start to the game saw both sides score before five minutes had elapsed.

The Guardian - Sport

No doubt the problem is compounded by the fact that more than 25 years have elapsed since Britain last started to build an atomic power station and the wider pool of experts has diminished due to retirement.

The Guardian - Business

It alleged too little time elapsed on 1 May between the filing to court of an application for criminal charges and warrants being issued for their arrests.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, more than 18 months has elapsed since the inquiry led by the former civil servant Sir John Chilcot decided that intercept evidence should be admissable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Less than a minute had elapsed when the Dundee midfielder Greg Stewart found himself alone in the box after taking a pass from Clarkson but he fired wildly over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

Eight weeks have elapsed since Murphy became Labour's Scottish leader and you cannot fault his effort or much of his strategy since then.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only 166 days have elapsed since that pledge.

The Guardian - Business

And yet, he says, "a lot of time has elapsed, and I can't remotely say.

The Guardian

Six months elapsed before the bank felt able (in February) to start lowering interest rates again.Printing money is only likely to provide the basis for a long-term recovery if it is accompanied by the structural reforms which most economists now agree are urgently needed.

The Economist

But last year a court ruled that too much time had elapsed for him to be tried for the torture, disappearances and murders that took place under his regime.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elapsed" to emphasize the duration between two specific points in time, especially when precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "elapsed" in very informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "passed" or "gone by" in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elapsed" is as the past participle of the verb 'elapse', typically used in the perfect tenses to indicate that a period of time has passed. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English, particularly in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "elapsed" functions as a verb, specifically the past participle of 'elapse', and is used to denote the passage of time between two events. Ludwig AI verifies its grammatical correctness and usability. It's predominantly found in formal and neutral contexts such as News & Media and Scientific writings, making it appropriate for professional and academic discourse. While highly versatile, "elapsed" is less suited for informal settings where simpler alternatives like "passed" or "gone by" might be more appropriate. When writing or speaking, consider that the best practice is to employ "elapsed" to highlight the precision or significance of the time duration. Avoid casual settings. Common replacements include "transpired", slipped away, and "lapsed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed

This alternative emphasizes the completion of a time period.

gone by

This alternative uses a phrasal verb to describe time moving forward.

transpired

This alternative suggests that events have occurred over a period.

slipped away

This alternative implies time passing unnoticed or quickly.

lapsed

This alternative highlights the termination of a time interval.

expired

This alternative indicates the end of a defined period.

rolled by

This alternative uses imagery to describe the gradual passing of time.

flown by

This alternative conveys a sense of time passing quickly and effortlessly.

ran its course

This alternative suggests a natural progression and completion of time.

faded away

This alternative conveys a sense of time causing something to disappear gradually.

FAQs

How is "elapsed" typically used in a sentence?

The word "elapsed" is commonly used to describe the amount of time that has passed between two events, such as "Six months have "elapsed" before the bank felt able to start lowering interest rates again."

What can I say instead of "elapsed" to describe the passage of time?

Alternatives to "elapsed" include phrases like "gone by", "passed", or "slipped away", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "time has elapsed"?

Yes, the phrase "time has elapsed" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that a period of time has passed.

What's the difference between "elapsed" and "passed" when referring to time?

"Passed" is a more general term for the progression of time. "Elapsed" is a more specific term, emphasizing the completed duration between two points in time. You might say "a year has passed", but "three hours elapsed between the start and end of the meeting".