on different timelines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on different timelines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or situations that occur at various points in time or in parallel timeframes. Example: "The characters in the story are living on different timelines, which adds complexity to the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The two Democratic candidates, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, have proposed more rapid withdrawals of troops, though on different timelines.

The New York Times

Though they made offers on both apartments on the same day, the closings — each with a different cast of characters — "proceeded on different timelines," Ms. Davol said.

The New York Times

Morris' research shows that the partner who initiated the breakup feels less grief than the one who got dumped, but both often feel sorrow and regret at the way the relationship unfolded, often on different timelines.

Vice

University IRBs should be aware that community organizations may operate on different timelines, and that the intense and lengthy university IRB reporting process can create conflicts for them.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So maybe that stuff contributed to different timelines".

Huffington Post

The result is a book ― titled Agency and due out in January 2018 ― set on two different timelines: in present-day San Fransisco, but with Clinton as president, and in London 200 years from now, after 80percentt of the human population has been killed off.

Huffington Post

It was also revealed that Titanfall developer Respawn is working on a Star Wars game, taking place on a different timeline.

The Guardian - Tech

The state department said the Guardian's investigations were on a different timeline to their own.

The Guardian

"We went forward with much of the pre-Ike goals, just on a different timeline," Dr. Callender said.

The New York Times

But CdeBaca added: "We appreciate good reporting when we see it, and we feel the fight against human trafficking needs government reporting and civil society reporting, but it also takes dedicated journalists to play into the mix and, while our decision-making processes were operating on a different timeline, we certainly read the recent articles with interest".

The Guardian

But, startups are on a different timeline, the Prescreen CEO admitted, and at this point it just wasn't worth it for them to wait it out.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on different timelines" to clearly indicate that processes, projects, or events are not synchronized and may have varying durations or deadlines. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "on different timelines" when a more specific timeframe or deadline can be provided. Overusing the phrase can make communication less precise. If possible, specify the actual timelines or their differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on different timelines" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify verbs or nouns by providing information about timing and sequence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability. For example, "The closings proceeded on different timelines."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on different timelines" is a prepositional phrase used to describe events or processes occurring at varying times or paces. While grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's relatively rare. This phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by providing specific timeframes when possible, and consider alternatives like "at varying paces" or "with asynchronous schedules" to add nuance. This helps avoid ambiguity and makes communication more precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at varying paces

This alternative emphasizes the difference in speed or progress of events.

with asynchronous schedules

This alternative highlights the lack of synchronization in the schedules.

in staggered sequences

This alternative suggests that the events occur in a non-continuous order.

according to individual schedules

This alternative emphasizes the individuality and separation of the schedules.

at different rates of progression

This emphasizes the change in speed at which something advances.

following separate timetables

This suggests that each activity has its own distinct calendar.

in parallel timeframes

This conveys the idea that multiple things happen at the same time but are independent.

across various timelines

This indicates events taking place over a range of differing time periods.

in separate timelines

This indicates the distinct separation of time courses.

with desynchronized timing

Highlights a disconnect or lack of coordination in the timing of events.

FAQs

How can I use "on different timelines" in a sentence?

You can use "on different timelines" to describe events or processes that are not synchronized. For example: "The project teams are working "on different timelines", which requires careful coordination."

What's the difference between "on different timelines" and "simultaneously"?

"On different timelines" implies events are happening at varying paces or schedules. "Simultaneously" means events are happening at the same time. They are not interchangeable.

Are there formal alternatives to "on different timelines"?

Formal alternatives include "with asynchronous schedules", "in staggered sequences", or "following separate timetables".

Is it appropriate to use "on different timelines" in academic writing?

Yes, "on different timelines" is appropriate for academic writing when describing asynchronous processes or events. Be sure to use it with precision to avoid ambiguity.