gap of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gap of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time between two events, or between a starting point and the present. Example sentence: "We have had a long gap of time between our last meeting and this one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Where has this gap of time gone?

The New York Times - Books

The gap of time – what is it?

The Guardian - Books

Winterson downplays the resurrection scene in "The Gap of Time".

The New Yorker

The Gap of Time transplants Shakespeare to contemporary London.

Independent

Jeanette Winterson's latest book is The Gap of Time (Vintage, £16.99).

The Guardian

Jeanette Winterson's The Gap of Time, which launches the Hogarth Shakespeare series, is published by Vintage.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

In the gaps of time, morning and night, Darwin took up his pen.

The Guardian - Books

It's when revolutions intervene that short gaps of time seem nearly incommensurable; periods of gradual change make long durations seem to collapse in the wave of a hand.

The New Yorker

He has a hawkeye for recognizing the gaps of time in Watson's Boswelling, and for places where the chronology makes no sense — all the disjunctions you'd expect in a series written in installments over several decades.

The New York Times - Books

Because there are gaps of time between each movie.

Huffington Post

The narrative is not continuous; there are significant gaps of time between each section.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gap of time", ensure the context clearly defines the start and end points of the interval to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the gap of time between the two world wars".

Common error

Avoid using "gap of time" when referring to overlapping periods; it's more appropriate for distinct, non-overlapping intervals. For concurrent events, use phrases like "during the same period" or "at the same time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gap of time" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable form in written English. It indicates a duration or interval between two distinct moments or events, as seen in many examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gap of time" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe an interval between two events, periods, or moments. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for formal and informal writing, although specifying the start and end points is crucial for clarity. While alternatives like "period of time" and "interval of time" exist, "gap of time" often implies a separation or discontinuity. Being aware of common errors, such as overlapping timeframes, can enhance the precision of your writing. With a high expert rating, "gap of time" is a reliable and effective phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interval of time

Highlights the space between two points in time.

period of time

Focuses on the duration itself, without necessarily implying an interval between events.

time frame

Specifies a defined period within which something occurs or is expected to occur.

lapse of time

Emphasizes the passing of time, often implying a forgetting or inactivity during that period.

time span

Indicates the extent or range of time considered.

break in time

Highlights a pause or interruption in a continuous activity.

duration

Refers to the length of time something lasts.

hiatus

Suggests a temporary break or interruption in a series or sequence.

interim

Denotes the time between two events, often used in formal or official contexts.

spell

Implies a continuous period usually shorter and defined by specific conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "gap of time" in a sentence?

You can use "gap of time" to describe an interval between two events. For example: "There was a significant "gap of time" between the initial discovery and the subsequent research."

What can I say instead of "gap of time"?

You can use alternatives like "period of time", "interval of time", or "lapse of time" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "gap of time" or "space of time"?

"Gap of time" and "space of time" are both correct, but "gap of time" usually implies an interval between events, whereas "space of time" refers more broadly to a duration.

What's the difference between "gap of time" and "hiatus"?

"Gap of time" is a general term for a period between events. "Hiatus"/"hiatus" specifically suggests a temporary interruption or break from something.