erosion of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"erosion of time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the gradual loss of something due to the passing of time. For example, "The erosion of time has caused the building to fall into disrepair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Connolly's case has been worn away by the erosion of time, and we are of opinion that it is no longer controlling.

Cornell University

"There's absence, there's sadness, there's an existential feeling about the erosion of time — that empty feeling we can get when you stop and look at things as they are".

The New York Times

His work has an indeterminacy of scale, often taking a hand-sized object and enlarging it, and subsequently trying to recover the handwork by a texturing that seems, on the one hand, to mirror the erosion of time or the stratification of rock, but actually looks like the traces of cutting chisels not used to cut and shape but to draw.

The Guardian - Arts

His death by suicide in 2008, aged 46, has lent him the grim patina of a martyr, preserving the vitality of his voice from the erosion of time.In this section The significations of his words World without end Looking ahead Infinite struggle Same as it ever was ReprintsAll of which makes Wallace a seductive subject for a biography, but also a tricky one.

The Economist

One of the principal drawbacks of action, Arendt maintains, is to be extremely fragile, to be subject to the erosion of time and to forgetfulness; unlike the products of the activity of work, which acquire a measure of permanence by virtue of their sheer facticity, deeds and words do not survive their enactment unless they are remembered.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the overall mood is one of melancholy, because the erosions of time and place have destroyed the buildings and aspirations that interest him: "The east stands for lost causes," he writes, "you can sense the immense power of emptiness".

The Guardian - Books

The days should be long gone when funding, either core or through emergency-style schemes with fancy names, is simply a King Canute-style exercise in trying to hold back the erosions of time.

The Guardian

Krapp listens appalled to this self, before the erosions of time and failure, before the unsuccessful writer withdrew from the world for the sake of his art, only to discover he had nothing to say.

The Guardian

His graphs that track novels published per year have an almost poetic quality, setting ambition and effort on the y-axis, against the erosions of time on the x-axis.

The New Yorker

More important is that you go and see "Follies" performed and face up to the reality that the non-Sondheim American musical has always tried to ignore: the erosions of time, and what it leads to.

The New Yorker

It is the head of a man formed from wood stump, flowers and produce, a vanitas motif that also commemorates not only the erosions of time, but nature's endurance.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erosion of time" when you want to emphasize the gradual and often subtle way in which something is being diminished or worn away by the effects of time.

Common error

Avoid using "erosion of time" when you actually mean a sudden or rapid decline. "Erosion" implies a slow, gradual process, so ensure it fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erosion of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a process or condition, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, indicating a gradual wearing away or deterioration over a period.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "erosion of time" is a noun phrase that describes the gradual wearing away or deterioration caused by the passage of time. Although Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage is relatively rare, as indicated by the limited number of examples available. It appears primarily in News & Media, Science, and Academia, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When using "erosion of time", it's essential to emphasize the slow, subtle nature of the decline, and ensure it aligns with the intended context. While phrases like "passage of time" or "ravages of time" may be suitable alternatives, they carry slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ravages of time

Emphasizes the destructive effects of time.

passage of time

Focuses on the act of time moving forward rather than the decay it causes.

effects of aging

Specifically relates to the changes and decline associated with getting older.

gradual decline

Highlights the slow and steady deterioration process.

attrition over time

Highlights the gradual reduction or wearing down of something.

slow decay

Similar to gradual decline but emphasizes decomposition.

temporal degradation

Uses more formal language to describe the decline over time.

wearing away

Focuses on the physical process of something being diminished.

long-term deterioration

Emphasizes the length of time over which the decline occurs.

historical decay

Relates specifically to decay in a historical context.

FAQs

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

You can use "erosion of time" to describe the gradual decay or loss of something due to the effects of time, such as, "The old monument showed the clear "erosion of time" with its weathered surface".

What phrases are similar to "erosion of time"?

Similar phrases include "passage of time", "ravages of time", and "effects of aging", each with slightly different connotations.

Is "erosion of time" a formal or informal phrase?

"Erosion of time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to appear more frequently in literary or descriptive writing.

What's the difference between "erosion of time" and "loss of time"?

"Erosion of time" refers to the gradual wearing away or decay caused by time, while "loss of time" typically refers to a specific instance or period of time that is wasted or unavailable.