onslaught of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "onslaught of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the relentless and overwhelming passage of time, often in a context where time feels like an aggressive force. Example: "As I look back on my life, I realize that the onslaught of time has changed everything I once knew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The onslaught of time may be brutal, but "Flesh and Blood" has its comic moments.

The New Yorker

Eloquent essays complement the stark beauty of Bosworth's photographic paean honoring individual trees' triumph over onslaught of time and the environment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bedside nursing means caring for fiercely independent men and women devastated by the relentless onslaught of time, and helping adult children tend to failing parents.

The New York Times - Books

Because he has changed so little in the interim, and mounted so uncanny a resistance to the onslaught of time, we feel, with a jolt, that we are gazing up at a star as he both was and still is.

The New Yorker

Old barns were always, and remain, the center of a homestead's defense against the eroding onslaught of time and of the elements; they are the center stage for the good fight that life requires of us to move from one century to another, one generation to another.

The New York Times

Today, more than two decades later, the city's streets lie overgrown, and schools, apartments and shops crumble under the twin onslaught of time and the elements.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Like Camus's Sisyphus pushing his boulder up the hill, marriage is in the end a futility, an attempt to carve out a tiny pocket of stability, of something enduring, against the transience of the world and the unending onslaughts of time and mortality.

The Guardian - Books

Exceptionally strong high-pressure zones that formed this summer, often referred to as heat domes, spurred the "planetary heat wave," which resulted in an onslaught of all-time-high temperature records.

The Washington Post

Obviously, their recent article detailing this year's "Top 10 Summer Jobs" is directed at the onslaught of full-time students soon to be hitting the increasingly hot pavement in search of the ever-elusive summer job.

Huffington Post

As evidenced by the recent onslaught of petitions, this time off is regarded dearly.

Huffington Post

Just that it's very full on and very relentless and [it's] an onslaught of humanity at times.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "onslaught of time" to create a vivid image of time as an aggressive force, especially when discussing aging, decay, or the fleeting nature of existence.

Common error

Avoid using "onslaught of time" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a strong, almost dramatic tone that may be inappropriate for lighter contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onslaught of time" functions as a noun phrase, with "onslaught" acting as the head noun modified by the prepositional phrase "of time". It vividly describes time as an aggressive and destructive force. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "onslaught of time" is a grammatically sound and evocative expression used to depict time as a forceful and often destructive agent. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and highlights its usage in various sources, predominantly news and media. While not a common phrase, it is suitable for creating vivid imagery, especially in discussions about aging, decay, or the fleeting nature of existence. It's important to consider the context when using this phrase, as its dramatic tone may not always be appropriate. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is correct and best employed to describe time's relentless and overwhelming impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relentless passage of time

Replaces "onslaught" with "relentless passage", focusing on the continuous nature of time's movement.

the inexorable passage of time

Replaces "onslaught" with "inexorable passage," emphasizing time's unyielding nature.

erosion of time

Emphasizes the gradual wearing away effect of time, similar to the aggressive force implied by "onslaught".

ravages of time

Highlights the damaging and destructive effects caused by the passage of time.

the ceaseless flow of time

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of time using "ceaseless flow" instead of "onslaught".

merciless march of time

Replaces "onslaught" with a more figurative description, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of time.

unrelenting flow of time

Focuses on the continuous and unstoppable nature of time's movement.

advance of years

A more euphemistic way to refer to aging and the passage of time.

progress of time

A neutral way to describe how time passes

relentless advance of years

Combines 'relentless advance' with 'years' to underscore unstoppable aging.

FAQs

How can I use "onslaught of time" in a sentence?

You can use "onslaught of time" to describe the destructive effects of aging, such as, "The old house showed the terrible "onslaught of time" with its cracked walls and weathered paint."

What can I say instead of "onslaught of time"?

Alternatives include "relentless passage of time", "erosion of time", or "ravages of time" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "onslaught of time" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "onslaught of time" is not as frequently used as simpler phrases like "passage of time", giving it a more dramatic or literary feel.

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

"Onslaught of time" implies a forceful, destructive impact, whereas "passage of time" is a more neutral observation of time's progression.