evolutionary time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolutionary time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing biological evolution, geological time scales, or the duration over which evolutionary processes occur. Example: "The fossil record provides insights into the changes that have taken place over evolutionary time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even free will, he thinks, evolves over evolutionary time.

The New Yorker

Well, they could and probably do in evolutionary time.

The Guardian - Tech

"In evolutionary time 200,000 years are hardly anything.

The New York Times - Science

However, many adaptations are produced over evolutionary time.

Journal of Biomechanics

They were, in essence, an anthropological relic and Flores was an evolutionary time capsule.

The Guardian

Imagine a chain of rabbit generations, daughter-mother-grandmother, stretching back into evolutionary time.

The New York Times - Books

Pigot, A. L. & Tobias, J. A. Species interactions constrain geographic range expansion over evolutionary time.

Nature

Interspecific gene differences and evolutionary time estimated from electro-phoretic data on protein identity.

Nature

Over evolutionary time, the icefish accumulated lipids, or fats, which, like oil, float in water.

The New York Times - Science

Mental reorganization at that scale happens over evolutionary time, not because you got a smartphone.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, switching of methylation type has occurred in evolutionary time scales.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the rate of evolutionary changes, clarify whether you are referring to short-term adaptations or changes over vast geological periods. This will help avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "evolutionary time" when you actually mean historical or human-perceptible time frames. "Evolutionary time" typically refers to periods spanning many generations or even millennia.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolutionary time" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the extensive duration over which evolutionary processes occur. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it's grammatically sound and widely used in scientific and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evolutionary time" is a noun phrase widely used to describe the extensive durations over which evolutionary changes occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in science, news, and academic settings. Recognizing its formal register and the potential for confusion with shorter time scales is key to using this phrase accurately. Always consider related phrases like "evolutionary timescale" to add precision. When using this expression is essential to be aware of its implications, to avoid mistakes and ensure correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolutionary timescale

This term specifically refers to the scale on which evolutionary changes occur, focusing on measurement.

long-term evolution

This alternative emphasizes the duration over which evolution takes place.

geological timescale

This alternative focuses on the timescale used in geology, which is related to evolutionary processes.

deep time

This alternative refers to the immense scale of geological time and evolutionary history.

macroevolutionary period

This alternative emphasizes the long periods associated with macroevolutionary changes.

phylogenetic timescale

This phrase specifies a timescale based on phylogenetic relationships.

evolutionary duration

This alternative highlights the length of time over which evolution occurs.

periods of evolutionary change

This alternative emphasizes the distinct intervals during which evolutionary changes happen.

the course of evolution

This alternative highlights the unfolding of evolutionary processes over time.

biological history

This term encompasses the entire history of life and evolutionary events.

FAQs

How is "evolutionary time" different from regular time?

"Evolutionary time" refers to vast timescales encompassing geological epochs and significant biological transformations, while regular time is measured in human-relatable units like seconds, days, or years.

What does it mean when scientists say something happened quickly in "evolutionary time"?

When scientists describe events as rapid in "evolutionary time", they mean changes occurred in thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years, a relatively short period compared to the multi-million-year scales of evolution.

Is "evolutionary time" the same as "geological time"?

While related, "evolutionary time" focuses on the timescales of biological evolution, whereas "geological time" refers to the broader history of Earth, including geological events, climate changes, and biological evolution.

How do scientists measure "evolutionary time"?

Scientists use various methods to estimate "evolutionary time", including radiometric dating of fossils, molecular clocks that track genetic changes, and analyses of the fossil record to determine the age of species and evolutionary events.