harvest time

USAGE SUMMARY

"harvest time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to the time of year when crops are harvested and is typically used metaphorically to refer to periods of abundance or success. For example, you could say, "This has been a great year for the company; it truly has been a harvest time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Harvest time?

The Washington Post

"It's harvest time," he said.

The New York Times

At harvest time, yields plummeted.

The New York Times

Later, I discovered it was harvest time.

The Guardian

Cross-generational bonds at harvest time.

The New York Times

Ah, harvest time in the wine country!

The New York Times

It falls every harvest time, right?

Yale University

Harvest Time It's Chekhov as you've never heard him before.

The New York Times

But when harvest time came around, something was missing.

The Guardian

Harvest time for Afghanistan's poppies is weeks away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

One aliquot was used for each harvest time-point.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harvest time" to evoke a sense of culmination and reward after a period of effort, not just literally for agricultural contexts. For instance, "After years of development, it's finally harvest time for our new product."

Common error

Avoid using "harvest time" when the context doesn't align with the idea of reaping benefits or rewards. It's not simply a synonym for "busy period"; it implies a positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harvest time" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific period within the year. According to Ludwig, it refers to the time of year during which harvesting occurs, but also is often used metaphorically to refer to periods of abundance or success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harvest time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the period when crops are gathered, often used metaphorically to symbolize a time of reward or success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, the phrase maintains a neutral register and is thus versatile across different types of communication. While mainly used in agricultural contexts, avoid using "harvest time" simply as a “busy period”; it implies a positive outcome. Consider alternatives like "harvest season" or "gathering season" for slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harvest season

Replaces "time" with "season", emphasizing the period of harvesting.

autumn harvest

Specifies that the harvest occurs in autumn.

fall harvest

Synonymous with autumn harvest.

gathering season

Focuses on the act of gathering crops rather than the specific timing.

time of reaping

Emphasizes the act of reaping, which is synonymous with harvesting.

crop gathering period

A more formal way to describe the time when crops are gathered.

yield collection period

Highlights the collection of the yield or produce.

ingathering

A more traditional or literary term for harvest.

vintage time

Specifically refers to the grape harvest for winemaking.

crop maturity

Focuses on the point crops are ready for harvest, not necessarily the harvesting itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "harvest time" to describe the season when crops are gathered, such as, "September marks the beginning of harvest time in the vineyards." It can also be used metaphorically to describe a period of success or reward, such as, "After years of hard work, it's finally harvest time for his career."

What can I say instead of "harvest time"?

Alternatives to "harvest time" include "harvest season", "gathering season", or "time of reaping" depending on the context.

Is "harvest time" the same as "autumn"?

"Autumn" refers to a season of the year, while "harvest time" refers specifically to the period when crops are gathered. Although often overlapping, they aren't interchangeable. "Autumn" is a season; "harvest time" is an event within that season.

Can "harvest time" be used in a negative context?

While "harvest time" typically carries positive connotations of abundance and reward, it can occasionally be used ironically or sarcastically to highlight a negative outcome after a period of investment. However, this usage is less common.