real time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "real time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which events are happening at the same rate as they occur in actual time (as opposed to a pre-recorded or simulated version of an event). For example, "We are monitoring the situation in real time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It's get real time".

Independent

(Real Time Economics) Funny.

The Economist

"Not in real time.

Independent

"This is real time.

The New York Times

In real time.

The New York Times

"Lolita" in real time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

("Relevant, Reliable, Real-Time").

The New York Times

Real-Time Calendar Notifications.

The New Yorker

"Real-time Tweets?

The New York Times

Take Microsoft's real-time translation.

The Economist

"They are real-time systems.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For technical documents, use "real time" when referring to systems or processes that operate without noticeable delay. This is especially relevant in contexts like gaming, data analysis, and control systems.

Common error

Avoid using "real time" when you actually mean "in due time" or "eventually". "Real time" refers to immediate processing, while "in due time" indicates something will happen at a later, unspecified point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real time" functions primarily as an adjective or adverbial modifier, describing the immediacy of an action or process. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes events occurring at the same rate they happen in actuality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "real time" is a versatile term that indicates immediacy and a lack of delay, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used across various fields such as news, science, and technology to emphasize that something is happening or being processed instantly. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it’s important to use it appropriately, differentiating it from similar phrases like "in due time". As a best practice, use "real time" when describing data processing to highlight the system's ability to provide immediate insights. Ludwig examples have shown its versatility in various sources, making it important to ensure correct usage and appropriate source context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneous time

Emphasizes that actions occur at the same temporal point.

concurrently

Focuses on the overlap and happening together.

instantaneously

Highlights the speed and immediacy of actions.

at once

Suggests actions are not delayed but happen immediately.

synchronously

Indicates a coordinated timing between actions.

on the fly

Implies adaptability and lack of pre-planning while doing something.

in a heartbeat

Suggests an extremely short amount of time.

right away

Indicates actions will happen without any delay.

presently

Emphasizes the actions take place in the current moment.

live

Focuses on immediate broadcast or performance.

FAQs

How is "real time" used in a sentence?

"Real time" describes processes or events that occur immediately. For example, "We are monitoring the stock market "in real time" to make informed decisions."

What are some alternatives to using "real time"?

Alternatives include "simultaneous time", "instantaneously", or "live", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in real-time" or "in real time"?

Both "in real time" and "in real-time" are acceptable. The hyphenated version is often used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "real-time data"), while the unhyphenated version is used adverbially (e.g., "data is processed in real time").

What's the difference between "real time" and "near real time"?

"Real time" implies no delay, whereas "near real time" suggests a very short, but still present, delay. For example, "The data is updated in near real time, with a latency of a few seconds."