mere passage of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere passage of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the idea that simply waiting or allowing time to pass does not lead to change or improvement in a situation. Example: "The issues in our project will not resolve themselves with the mere passage of time; we need to take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The mere passage of time is giving them a shared history.

The Economist

Staying proceedings for the mere passage of time would be tantamount to imposing a judicially created limitation period….

Harvard University

Given this knowledge, the mere passage of time may spur our confidence, though no formal statistical analysis can prove it.

The New York Times

That decline has long been in motion, the result of a dwindling economy and the mere passage of time: after twelve years in power, including two terms in office, she cannot run again for the Presidency until 2019.

The New Yorker

By relying on a technicality that hinges on the mere passage of time, it's almost as if the suspect is admitting he did it.

Forbes

It is hard to avoid the inference here that the mere passage of time itself is acting as a conditioned stimulus: that the rats, to put it in more anthropocentric terms, are successfully estimating intervals of time.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The reason is the simple passage of time.

The Washington Post

Another factor is the simple passage of time.

The Washington Post

These organizations warn that unless the state goes beyond the mere passage of laws, change will be very slow.

The New York Times

We will not lightly infer that Congress by the mere passage of a federal Act has impaired the traditional sovereignty of the several States in that regard.

Cornell University

While upon initial review it might be assumed that the rate established in 1909 would not be reasonable at the present time, the committee believes that an increase in the mechanical royalty rate must be justified on the basis of existing economic conditions and not on the mere passage of 67 years.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere passage of time" when you want to emphasize that simply waiting will not resolve a problem or lead to a desired outcome without additional effort or intervention. It's effective in contexts where action is needed but being delayed or avoided.

Common error

Avoid using "mere passage of time" as an excuse for inaction. While time can play a role in certain situations, relying solely on it without taking necessary steps can lead to stagnation or worsening conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere passage of time" functions as a modifier, emphasizing that time alone is the sole or primary factor in a given situation. It is used to discount other potential influences or interventions, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere passage of time" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that time alone is insufficient to bring about a desired outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "simple passage of time" or "just the passage of time" exist, "mere passage of time" effectively emphasizes the lack of other contributing factors. It's important to avoid using the phrase as a justification for inaction, recognizing that proactive steps are often necessary to achieve meaningful results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Simple passage of time

Replaces "mere" with "simple", slightly de-emphasizing the lack of additional factors.

Just the passage of time

Substitutes "mere" with "just", suggesting that time alone is the only factor involved.

Sheer passage of time

Replaces "mere" with "sheer", emphasizing the extent to which time is the sole factor.

Bare passage of time

Replaces "mere" with "bare", highlighting the minimal nature of time's contribution.

Only the passing of time

Rephrases to emphasize that nothing but the passing of time is occurring.

The elapse of time alone

Uses "elapse" instead of "passage" and adds "alone" for emphasis on time being the only factor.

Time passing by itself

Expresses the concept with a more active voice, focusing on time as the subject.

The progression of time itself

Uses "progression" for a slightly more formal tone and adds "itself" for emphasis.

Time elapsing without intervention

Highlights that time is passing without any other actions influencing the situation.

The natural course of time

Emphasizes the natural and inevitable progression of time without external influence.

FAQs

How can I use "mere passage of time" in a sentence?

You can use "mere passage of time" to emphasize that simply waiting will not solve a problem. For example, "The issues in our project will not resolve themselves with the "mere passage of time"; we need to take action."

What can I say instead of "mere passage of time"?

Alternatives include "simple passage of time", "just the passage of time", or "sheer passage of time", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "mere passage of time"?

While "passage of time" alone conveys the concept of time passing, adding "mere" emphasizes that time is the only factor, and that no other significant influences are at play. The phrase isn't inherently redundant, as it provides emphasis.

What's the difference between "mere passage of time" and "the course of time"?

"Mere passage of time" highlights the inactivity or lack of intervention, whereas "the course of time" suggests a natural progression, potentially with changes and developments occurring naturally.