in past time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in past time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to events or situations that occurred in a previous period. Example: "In past time, people relied heavily on oral traditions to pass down stories and knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A leitmotif in "Past Time" is the slow pace at which the baseball industry adapts to change.

The New York Times - Books

Usually, the methods in past time to control vibration were mainly designed by using mathematical models, which must be nearly close to the actual plant models.

Applied Acoustics

It seems to presuppose that we select an infinitely distant point in past time, and then reckon the number of years that have elapsed since then.

SEP

But Aristotle will presumably want to block the initial move of selecting an infinitely distant point in past time, insisting that any particular point we choose in the past will be removed from the present by a merely finite number of years.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is a remembrance of the good in past times".

The New York Times

In past times, a mourning wardrobe was de rigueur for the fashionable bereaved.

The New York Times

"In past times, stations like this tried to be all things to all people," he said.

The New York Times

In past times politics was addressed with a precision and wit we have lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

In past times of falling demand, De Beers used to stockpile its gems to keep prices up.

The Economist

In past times, people sometimes thought that all sounds that ever existed were still present, hovering like ghosts.

The New Yorker

"In past times, we'd either be widowed or dead by now or stay married to the guy," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in past time" to refer to methods, ideas, or events that were prevalent or common at some point before the present. It's suitable when comparing past practices with current ones.

Common error

Avoid using "in past time" interchangeably with phrases like "in the past" or "at that time". While similar, "in past time" specifically highlights a contrast between a previous period and the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in past time" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate when something occurred or existed. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. For instance, "methods in past time" (from the Ludwig examples) shows it describing when certain control methods were used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in past time" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurred or existed at a point before the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Encyclopedia Britannica, demonstrating its suitability for academic, journalistic, and formal contexts. Remember to use it when contrasting past practices with the present and consider alternatives like "in former times" or "in earlier times" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in former times

Directly indicates a period before the present, with a slightly more formal tone.

in earlier times

Similar to 'in former times', but with a slightly broader scope, encompassing various earlier periods.

in bygone days

Emphasizes a more distant and often idealized past.

in days gone by

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and a more distant past.

in previous eras

Focuses on specific historical periods that have passed.

in olden times

Refers to a very distant and often romanticized past, like fairy tale ages.

historically

Implies a review or discussion of past events and their impact.

in retrospect

Focuses on looking back at a past event with new understanding.

once upon a time

Indicates the beginning of a fairy tale or story, connoting a distant and imaginative past.

back in the day

Informal way of referring to a time in the past, typically the speaker's own past.

FAQs

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

You can use "in past time" to refer to something that happened or existed at some point before the present. For example: "In past time, people relied heavily on oral traditions to pass down stories and knowledge."

What phrases are similar to "in past time"?

Similar phrases include "in former times", "in earlier times", or "in bygone days". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the past.

Is "in past time" formal or informal?

The phrase "in past time" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality, making it suitable for a variety of contexts from academic to journalistic. However, remember that words like "back in the day" are considered informal.

What is the difference between "in past time" and "in the past"?

While both phrases refer to a period before the present, "in past time" emphasizes a contrast between past and present practices or conditions, whereas "in the past" is a more general reference to a prior period.