lighter in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lighter in time" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could potentially be used to describe something that becomes less burdensome or easier as time progresses, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "As we move forward with the project, I hope the workload will feel lighter in time."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Looking forward to: Leaving the jungle a few pounds lighter in time for Christmas!

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I thought I'd find myself an old woman by now, travelling so light in time.

The New Yorker

He saw it as the culmination of a thread of longing -- "light in time of darkness" -- running through his work.

The New York Times - Arts

The French physicist Jean-Baptiste Biot wrote "Electricity," "Galvanism," and "Pendulum," and his compatriot François Arago produced "Double Refraction and Polarization of Light" in time for the addenda to the sixth volume.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Drivers distracted by a task devised to simulate using a "hands free" cellphone sometimes failed to stop properly at red lights and, when they recognized the light in time to stop, braked much harder than usual, increasing the chance of accidents, researchers report in a new study.

The New York Times - Health

Plans are also in place to replace the 25-year-old lighting system that illuminates Tower Bridge in London with LED lighting in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

BBC

Hastert likely would have spent decades in state prison if his actions had come to light in time to charge him with sexual abuse of minors, U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin observed at sentencing.

Los Angeles Times

We were each others bright lights in times of darkness.

The New York Times

Those fireworks produce smoke that will be well lit in timed exposures and can overwhelm the image.

The New York Times

Because repeated exposures of samples to high doses of exitatory fluorescent light in time-lapse photomicroscopy has the potential to cause DNA damage (Ge et al., 2013), which might appear as foci at later time points, we used a low-dose of excitatory light for fluorescence with 30 ms at each exposure.

eLife

The phone ships with bare bones software that lets you associate the lights with different functions, so you can light up in time with music, like a set of Radio Shack speakers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lighter in time", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a literal reduction in weight or a figurative lessening of burden. If there's ambiguity, rephrase for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lighter in time" when a more common phrase would be more readily understood. Overusing uncommon phrases can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lighter in time" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun, indicating a state of becoming less burdensome or heavy as time progresses. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's infrequent use, suggesting careful consideration of context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lighter in time" is a rarely used adjective phrase suggesting a reduction in burden or weight over time. While grammatically acceptable, its uncommon nature can lead to misinterpretation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's crucial to ensure the context is clear when using this phrase, and to consider more common alternatives such as "easier over time" or "less burdensome as time passes" for improved clarity. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, this phrase's infrequent use warrants careful consideration in writing to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less burdensome over time

Replaces "lighter" with "less burdensome" emphasizing the easing of a burden rather than physical weight and clarifies the temporal aspect.

easier as time goes on

Focuses on ease, suggesting a process that becomes simpler with the progression of time.

less heavy with time

Emphasizes a reduction in heaviness (either literal or figurative) as time passes.

becoming more manageable

Highlights the increasing manageability of something as time progresses.

alleviating with time

Suggests that something becomes less severe or intense over time.

diminishing over time

Focuses on a gradual decrease in impact or significance as time elapses.

reducing in weight with time

Specifically relates to a reduction in literal weight.

ameliorating as time passes

Suggests that something is improving as time elapses.

becoming less oppressive with time

Focuses on the lessening of oppressive feelings or circumstances.

easing with the passage of time

Highlights the easing or relaxation of something over a period.

FAQs

What does "lighter in time" mean?

The phrase "lighter in time" is not a standard expression. It can be interpreted as something becoming less burdensome or weighing less as time progresses. For example, 'I hope the workload will feel "lighter in time"'.

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

While not common, you can use "lighter in time" to suggest a gradual reduction in burden or weight. However, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context. Alternatives such as "easier over time" or "less burdensome as time passes" might be clearer.

What are some alternatives to saying "lighter in time"?

Consider using phrases like "easier over time", "less burdensome over time", or "becoming more manageable" to convey a similar meaning with greater clarity.

Is "lighter in time" grammatically correct?

The phrase "lighter in time" doesn't violate any fundamental grammar rules but sounds unusual. It's more a matter of common usage. "Easier over time" would be more idiomatic and grammatically typical.