fast forward time

USAGE SUMMARY

"fast forward time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of skipping ahead in time, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "I wish I could fast forward time to see the results of my hard work." Alternative expressions include "skip ahead" and "jump forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I wanted to give up (not that I knew how), but I just wanted to turn back or fast forward time to a better day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although coalescent simulators have the advantage of being extremely fast, forward-time simulators allow the exploration of a wider parameter space and the implementation of different scenarios (such as sophisticated crossover models) in a straightforward way.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

In all instances, the efforts to fast-forward time have the same genesis: concerns about consumers' willingness to spend money because of the economy.

The New York Times

I wanted to fast-forward time, to leap into our victory because I feared that the longer we waited, the less likely it would come.

The Guardian - Sport

If the world was coming to an end, they opted for low-tech fast-forward time travel, reimagining themselves as leather-clad cartoon citizens of a Bowery-like planet somewhere on the other side of Judgment Day.

The New York Times - Magazine

While we unfortunately can't fast-forward time, we can offer up to all fans of the show this wonderful music tribute remix from musician John D. Boswell (aka melodysheep) titled "The Dragons Daughter" above.

Huffington Post

He called for three huzzas for his publishers Bloomsbury and, as a man at ease across different time sweeps, was very happy to oblige the Guardian with a drawing that in these fast-forward times can be scanned straight onto the blog.

The Guardian - Books

Archives|HOME ENTERTAINMENT/VIDEO: FAST FORWARD; About Time To Face The Music? HOME ENTERTAINMENT/VIDEO: FAST FORWARD; About Time To Face The Music? Let's rock.

The New York Times - Arts

Fast forward: the time for gender parity is now, which finds that optimizing talent makes sheer economic sense.

Forbes

But David keeps insisting, so they fast forward the time to the next morning, and David spends the happiest day of his life with Monica and Teddy.

Wikipedia

What if you had your own Time Machine and chose not to fast forward to the time of the Morlocks and the Eloi but went back to see some cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fast forward time" when you want to convey the idea of skipping ahead to a future point, either in a narrative, a process, or a personal experience.

Common error

Avoid using "fast forward time" literally in scientific contexts where precise temporal measurements are needed. Opt for more accurate terms like "time-lapse" or "accelerated aging" depending on the specific process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast forward time" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It suggests the action of skipping ahead to a later point in time, whether literally or figuratively. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate this usage in diverse contexts, from personal desires to marketing strategies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fast forward time" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the idea of skipping ahead to a future point. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it's generally considered neutral in register, it can be adapted to different levels of formality. Related phrases include "jump ahead in time" and "accelerate the timeline". When using "fast forward time", consider the context to ensure it aligns with your intended meaning, and avoid using it literally in scientific contexts where precision is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jump ahead in time

Indicates a sudden shift to a later point in time, either literally or figuratively.

skip forward to the future

Similar to "jump ahead", but emphasizes the act of bypassing intervening events.

accelerate the timeline

Implies speeding up a sequence of events, often in a project management context.

hasten the future

Suggests bringing about a future event or state more quickly, often with an element of anticipation or desire.

advance the clock

Figuratively means to move closer to a deadline or planned event, or to progress more quickly.

compress the timeframe

Suggests reducing the duration of an activity or project.

expedite the schedule

Similar to "accelerate the timeline", but specific to project management.

rush through time

Implies moving quickly through a period, often due to urgency or impatience.

speed up the process

Focuses on accelerating a specific series of actions or steps.

move forward rapidly

Emphasizes quick progress or advancement, though not exclusively related to time.

FAQs

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

You can use "fast forward time" to express a desire to skip ahead to a future moment. For example, "I wish I could "fast forward time" to see the finished project."

What is a similar phrase to "fast forward time"?

Alternatives include "jump ahead in time", "skip forward to the future", or "accelerate the timeline".

Is "fast forward time" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fast forward time" is widely understood, it might be too informal for highly academic or technical contexts. Consider alternatives like "advance the timeline" or "expedite the schedule" for a more formal tone.

Can "fast forward time" be used in a literal sense?

While often used metaphorically, "fast forward time" can also refer to the literal act of skipping ahead in a recording, such as a video or audio file.