existed in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existed in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been present or has occurred over a period of time. Example: "The ancient civilization existed in time long before our modern society emerged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The popular image of the puppeteer is that he manipulates his characters, as though they existed in time and were being pushed into his purposes.

The New York Times

They existed in time and changed with time; they were never shrink-wrapped and vacuum-packed into the kind of gay fiction that takes its true cues from the narrow focus of pornography.

The New York Times - Books

This kind of access to technology has never existed in time before now, and I think there's going to be a lot of ramifications from that.

Vice

Gender differences existed in time pressure, and caring for own children stress condition categories.

BMC Medical Education

Little difference existed in time and travel costs between attending a breastfeeding group or a postnatal group; most women travelled less than 5 miles, and most journeys took less than 10 minutes.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mars is now cold and desertlike, but many planetary scientists think that large oceans may have existed in times when it was warmer and wetter.

The New York Times - Science

And, yet, when objects exist in Time they are defined by Time as durations of motion and existence, which we call measures of Time.

Huffington Post

They exist in time.

The New York Times

How do we exist in time?

The New York Times

It was a gruelling way to exist in time.

The New Yorker

Action in sports may happen quickly, but the plays exist in time, with a long history and a long shadow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "existed in time" when you want to emphasize that something was not just present, but was actively part of the flow and changes that time brings. For instance, use it to describe cultural phenomena or historical events that evolved over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "existed in time" when simply stating that something was present at a particular point. For single point occurrences, phrases like "was present" or "occurred" are more precise. "Existed in time" implies a duration or evolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existed in time" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to specify the temporal context of existence. Ludwig AI shows how this phrase clarifies that something was not only present but also experienced duration and change.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "existed in time" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the temporal context of existence, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, emphasizing the presence and duration of something within a period. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase describes the continuous nature of events or phenomena. When using this phrase, remember that it implies duration and evolution, not just a single point in time. Alternatives include "was present historically" or "has been throughout history", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been throughout history

Expresses the continuous presence of something across the entirety of history.

was present historically

Replaces "existed" with "was present" and specifies the temporal context with "historically".

occurred during that era

Focuses on the occurrence of something within a specific period using the word "era".

had temporal existence

Uses a more formal and abstract wording to describe existence within time.

was a feature of that period

Highlights the presence of something as a characteristic aspect of a particular period.

was situated in the past

Emphasizes the placement or location of something within the past.

dated back to that time

Indicates the origin or starting point of something in the past.

held a place in history

Highlights the significance or role of something within the historical timeline.

had its origins in that era

Specifies the starting point of something within a particular period of history.

once thrived in that age

Implies a period of flourishing or success within a specific historical age.

FAQs

How can I use "existed in time" in a sentence?

You can use "existed in time" to describe phenomena or entities that had a presence and duration throughout a historical period. For example, "The Roman Empire "existed in time", leaving a lasting impact on culture and governance."

What are some alternatives to "existed in time"?

Alternatives include "was present historically", "has been throughout history", or "occurred during that era", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "existed through time" instead of "existed in time"?

While "existed through time" is understandable, ""existed in time"" is more common and grammatically standard when describing something's presence within the continuum of time. "Existed through time" might imply overcoming challenges or surviving a long duration.

What's the difference between "existed in time" and "existed historically"?

"Existed in time" emphasizes the continuous presence and evolution within the temporal dimension. "Existed historically" simply highlights that something was present during a past historical period, without necessarily implying continuous duration or evolution.