months pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "months pass" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to indicate the passage of time, often in a literary or poetic sense. Here are a few examples: - "Months pass, but he still can't shake the memory of her." - "As the months pass, the leaves on the trees change color." - "With each passing season, the old house seemed to age even faster." - "Months pass by in a blur when you're busy juggling work and family." - "As the months pass, their friendship blossomed into something more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Months pass.

The New Yorker

A month passes, two months pass.

The New Yorker

Months pass and my commute becomes unbearable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But months pass, and the difficulties persist.

The New York Times

A few months pass, and it happens all over again.

The New York Times

Six months pass, and they hear nothing from her.

The New Yorker

Six months pass and Sam doesn't hear from Sherry.

The New Yorker

The months pass — months are often a Trevor protagonist — and matters heal.

The New York Times - Books

As the months pass, the viruses show a decreasing pattern of spread and contamination.

The New York Times

Usually, just a few months pass between an arrest and execution, occasionally only weeks.

The New York Times

Weeks or even months pass before it dawns on the pigeons that the owls never move.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the verb choice to add subtext; while "months pass" is neutral, alternatives like "slip away" or "drag on" convey emotion.

Common error

Avoid using the singular 'passes' when the subject is the plural 'months'. While a period of time can sometimes be treated as a singular unit (e.g., 'Six months is a long time'), when describing the active passage of multiple units, the plural verb "pass" is the standard requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "months pass" functions as a temporal subject-predicate construction. It is typically employed as a transitional device in storytelling or reporting to indicate a gap in time. According to Ludwig AI, it often appears at the beginning of sentences or as a parenthetical remark to shift the narrative focus to a later date.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "months pass" is a standard and highly effective linguistic tool for denoting the passage of time. Ludwig AI data reveals its prevalence across high-authority news outlets and academic publications, confirming its status as a correct and versatile expression. Whether used to bridge chapters in a novel or to report delays in a government process, it provides a clear temporal marker for the reader. While strictly correct in its plural form, writers should choose their accompanying adverbs or verbs carefully to convey the specific 'feel' of the time elapsed, such as speed or tedium. Overall, it remains one of the most reliable ways to handle chronological transitions in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time goes by

More idiomatic and general, applicable to any duration.

months go past

A direct synonym using a different verb particle.

months elapse

Significantly more formal, often used in legal or technical contexts.

months roll by

Adds a rhythmic or evocative sense to the passage of time.

months slip away

Suggests that the time passed quickly or without notice.

months fly by

Emphasizes a very rapid passage of time.

as time progresses

A broader phrase focusing on the forward movement of time.

months drag on

Connotes that the time passed slowly or was tedious.

several months follow

Focuses more on the sequence of events rather than the passage itself.

months advance

Less common, implies a more structured or planned progression.

FAQs

How do I use "months pass" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone temporal clause to show time jumping forward, such as: ""months pass", and eventually the project was completed."

What can I say instead of "months pass"?

Depending on your tone, you could use "months elapse" for a more formal feel or "time goes by" for a general observation.

Is it "months pass" or "months passes"?

The correct form is "months pass" because 'months' is a plural subject requiring a plural verb.

What is the difference between "months pass" and "months fly by"?

While both describe time passing, "months fly by" specifically implies that the time felt very short or moved quickly.