passing time

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean the passing of time, e.g. "As the weeks went by, we spent our days passing time in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is an anatomist of passing time.

The New Yorker

Standing at the baggage, passing time:.

The New Yorker

Ennet House reeks of passing time.

The New Yorker

Me, because of passing time.

The Guardian

"Books are not about passing time.

The Guardian

They had lost their sense of passing time.

The New Yorker

His lyrics philosophize about love, loss and passing time.

The New York Times - Arts

My own symbol of passing time has been the husky.

The New York Times

And they too are preoccupied with death and passing time.

The New York Times - Arts

Passing time was what they did most days.

The New York Times

The resulting exhibition, "Open Shutter at the Fahnemann Projects", shows a photographic version of passing time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing time" to describe how time is spent, especially when referring to leisure activities or the general experience of time elapsing. For example, "She enjoys passing time by reading in the park."

Common error

The phrase "passing time" typically refers to general activities or the subjective experience of time. Avoid using it in contexts where specific timeframes or deadlines are important; instead, use phrases like "timeframe", "deadline", or "schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing time" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun. It can act as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the general activity of spending or experiencing time. As Ludwig suggests, it's used to describe the act of spending time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that generally describes spending time, often in a relaxed or leisurely way. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and offers numerous examples from diverse sources. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it when referring to specific deadlines or schedules. Alternatives such as "spending time" or "whiling away the hours" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Its prevalence in news, wiki, and science contexts indicates broad applicability, though it maintains a neutral to informal register. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, it effectively communicates the act of occupying oneself and experiencing time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passing the hours

A simple and direct alternative, focusing on the act of making time go by.

spending time

Focuses on the act of allocating time to an activity, shifting emphasis from the time itself to the activity.

filling the time

Implies actively engaging in activities to make use of available time.

whiling away the hours

Emphasizes a leisurely and relaxed approach to spending time, often implying inactivity or light entertainment.

killing time

Suggests that time is being spent idly, often while waiting for something else to happen.

taking up time

Focuses on the consumption of time by an activity or event.

occupying oneself

Highlights the act of engaging in activities to avoid boredom or idleness.

biding one's time

Implies waiting patiently for an opportunity or a specific moment to act.

letting time slip away

Focuses on the passive experience of time elapsing, often with a sense of regret or awareness of its fleeting nature.

marking time

Suggests a period of inactivity or stagnation, often while awaiting further developments.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing time" to describe spending time in a relaxed or leisurely way, as in "They enjoyed "passing time" at the café, watching people go by" or "Reading is a great way of "passing time" on a long journey."

What are some alternatives to "passing time"?

Some alternatives to "passing time" include "spending time", "whiling away the hours", or "killing time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "passing time" the same as "wasting time"?

No, "passing time" does not necessarily imply that the time is being wasted. It simply refers to the act of spending time, whereas "wasting time" suggests that the time is being used ineffectively or without purpose.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "passing time"?

It would be inappropriate to use the phrase "passing time" when referring to the expiration of a deadline or in contexts where a specific amount of time is allocated for a task. In these instances, use more specific terms such as "timeframe" or "duration".