fast forward in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fast forward in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate a transition to a later point in time, often in storytelling or narrative contexts. Example: "After a long journey, we fast forward in time to the moment they finally reached their destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Alexie fast-forwards in time: his mouthy narrator inhabits Jimmy, a flight instructor who has to deal with the guilt-ridden aftermath when one of his students carries out a terrorist act in Chicago.

The New York Times - Books

Snapchat could conceivably leverage built-in head tracking and controller technologies to let you jump around and even rewind or fast-forward in time.

TechCrunch

In the second part of the video, Laditan fast-forwards in time to show the same mom leaving her third baby with the grandparents.

Huffington Post

Continuity mistake: After the Avians terrorize the center of the theme park there are dead animals everywhere, broken windows... Fast forward in the movie time just a few hours later and the main street looks brand new.

Independent

You didn't fast forward in case you overshot.

The Guardian - Music

He sang about "hitting fast forward" to "some time off in the future, where people will be happy instead of getting dumber and getting scareder all the time — scared of their own shadows, and scared to take a fall".

The New Yorker

FAST forward to this time next year.

The New York Times

Fast forward to half time with the score at 0-0.

The Guardian - Sport

Fast forward to modern times.

The New York Times - Books

Fast forward, to a short time later.

Huffington Post

Someone who looked only at the beginning and end of the experiment would see only a pulse of light that somehow jumped forward in time by moving faster than normal light speed.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While acceptable in many situations, more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "advance in time".

Common error

Avoid using "fast forward in time" when a gradual or continuous progression is intended. This phrase implies a rapid or immediate shift, not a slow evolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast forward in time" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a temporal jump or a transition to a later point. Ludwig AI describes this phrase as usable in written English to signify a transition to a later point in time, often in storytelling.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fast forward in time" is an idiomatic expression used to indicate a shift to a later point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and suggests alternatives like "jump ahead in time" or "advance in time". While generally acceptable, it may be less suitable for formal or scientific contexts. Remember to consider the intended speed and formality of your writing when using or substituting this phrase. Although examples are missing in this specific search, Ludwig AI's validation reinforces its appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jump ahead in time

Replaces "fast forward" with "jump ahead", altering the imagery while keeping the core meaning of advancing in time.

advance in time

Substitutes "fast forward" with "advance", providing a more formal tone to the temporal shift.

move forward in time

Uses "move forward" instead of "fast forward", softening the sense of speed but maintaining the temporal progression.

progress in time

Similar to "move forward", but with a stronger connotation of development or evolution during the temporal shift.

leap forward in time

Emphasizes a significant and sudden jump to a later time, adding a sense of dramatic transition.

skip ahead in time

Conveys a sense of omitting or bypassing intervening periods, implying a more selective focus on later events.

fast track in time

Emphasizes acceleration, suggesting a quicker than normal progression through time.

accelerate through time

Highlights the speeding up of temporal progression, adding a dynamic feel to the advancement.

compress time

Suggests condensing a period of time, focusing on the end result while minimizing the intervening steps.

expedite time

Implies speeding up a process within a specific timeframe, prioritizing efficiency and swiftness.

FAQs

How can I use "fast forward in time" in a sentence?

You can use "fast forward in time" to indicate a shift to a later point in a narrative. For example, "Fast forward in time, and you'll see the characters in very different roles."

What can I say instead of "fast forward in time"?

You can use alternatives like "jump ahead in time", "advance in time", or "move forward in time" depending on the specific context.

Is "fast forward in time" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally understood, "fast forward in time" leans towards informal. For formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "advance in time" or "progress in time".

What's the difference between "fast forward in time" and "flash forward"?

"Fast forward in time" suggests a more general shift to a later point, while "flash forward" often implies a sudden, brief glimpse into the future, commonly used in storytelling.