fade with time

USAGE SUMMARY

"fade with time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that loses its intensity, strength, or importance over time. For example: "The innocence of a child's smile will fade with time as they grow older."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The ruse doesn't fade with time.

The New York Times - Science

But memories fade with time.

The Guardian - Money

I know those dreams will fade with time.

The New York Times - Sports

And the effect seemed to fade with time.

The New York Times

Rather than fade with time, the controversy seems to be growing.

The New York Times

Like all bad relationships, the hurt will fade with time and the promise of new love.

The New York Times

And for those who glibly claim that youthful indiscretions fade with time, I say this: sometimes not enough.

The New York Times

Now I'm glad for a different reason: it helps me remember small details about him, the little things that slip out of memory, that fade with time.

The New York Times

It is all very well to talk of discipline and oversight right now, when disaster is still an imminent possibility; but wariness is bound to fade with time.

The Economist

Nearly half of the poll respondents who saw the debate pronounced Mrs. Clinton the winner, a perception that Mrs. Clinton's advisers acknowledged could fade with time.

The New York Times

The corruption accusations, he said, would fade with time because – unlike so many other politicians – she never benefited financially from bribes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing emotional responses, use "fade with time" to convey the lessening of intensity, offering solace and hope for healing.

Common error

Avoid using "fade with time" when a more dynamic verb better suits the sentence. For example, instead of saying "His enthusiasm faded with time", consider "His enthusiasm waned" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fade with time" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe how certain qualities, memories, or impacts lessen or diminish over an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fade with time" is a versatile phrase used to describe the gradual lessening of intensity or importance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "diminish over time" and "weaken as time passes" exist, "fade with time" offers a specific nuance related to visual or perceptual lessening. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning of gradual diminishment. Understanding its implications helps ensure clarity and precision in communication. The phrase appears very often in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish over time

Replaces "fade" with "diminish", emphasizing a reduction in size or impact.

weaken as time passes

Substitutes "fade" with "weaken" and restructures the phrase to highlight the process of becoming less strong.

lose importance gradually

Focuses on the loss of importance rather than the visual fading, offering a more abstract alternative.

become less distinct over time

Emphasizes the loss of clarity or definition, which is a specific aspect of fading.

decline with the passage of time

Uses "decline" to indicate a decrease in quality or strength, adding a more formal tone.

wane with age

Employs "wane" to describe a decrease in power or influence, often associated with aging.

dissipate over the years

Suggests a scattering or dissolving effect over a longer period.

deteriorate through the ages

Implies a decline in quality or condition due to the effects of aging.

erode over centuries

Uses "erode" to depict a gradual wearing away or destruction over an extended timeframe.

evaporate as time goes by

Emphasizes the vanishing or disappearance of something as time progresses.

FAQs

How can I use "fade with time" in a sentence?

You can use "fade with time" to describe the gradual lessening of intensity, strength, or importance of something. For example, "The pain of loss will "fade with time"".

What can I say instead of "fade with time"?

You can use alternatives like "diminish over time", "weaken as time passes", or "lose importance gradually" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fades with time" or "fade with time"?

"Fade with time" is generally used for plural subjects or in general statements. "Fades with time" is used when the subject is singular. For example, "Memories fade with time" (general statement) vs "This particular memory fades with time" (singular subject).

What's the difference between "fade with time" and "disappear over time"?

"Fade with time" implies a gradual lessening, while "disappear over time" suggests a complete vanishing. The former is more gradual and less absolute than the latter.