surface in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surface in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will become apparent or emerge at a later point. Example: "The truth will surface in time, revealing the real reasons behind the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The sustained damage was measured by evaluating the area of the damaged surface in time intervals of 4 s.

Wear

Go over your will with your heirs to let them hear, from you, what you want — and to bring conflicts to the surface in time to resolve them.

The New York Times

In the autumn, when freezing temperatures approach, machines that spit gritty materials of carefully chosen diameters head out early to lay the groundwork for a sandpaper-like surface in time for the morning rush.

The Guardian

Bond fights under icy water (2hrs 2 minutes) Bond would have exhausted his oxygen supply in no time while battling a henchman in those freezing Scottish waters, making it unlikely that he'd break the surface in time.

Independent

The new film, set in the early 1920s and telling the story of Irish communist leader Jimmy Gralton, is a good bet to surface in time for Cannes in May.

Independent

Some of these orbits intersects the Earth's surface in time shorter than 20 years for a particular initial geometry of interacting bodies.

Advances in Space Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Any decent revolution needs its leaders to surface in times of doubt, and for Columbus, there's only one hero who could shoulder that burden.

The Guardian - Sport

He knew that they were the stuff of most people's thoughts, more likely than ever to surface in times of crisis.

The New York Times

They lie dormant in times of confidence and progress and creep back to the surface in times of despair and self-doubt.

Huffington Post

Transudate filtered from the coronary system was collected on the epicardial surface in timed aliquots and quantified while the coronary venous effluent was collected from the pulmonary artery.

Critical Care

I'd give it a few weeks for the REAL designs to surface just in time for holiday gift buyers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surface in time" to suggest that something will become known or visible as time passes, particularly when referring to information, problems, or solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "surface in time" when you need to express immediate action or relevance. This phrase inherently implies a delayed or gradual revelation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surface in time" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating when an event or information becomes apparent. It modifies a verb or noun, specifying the temporal aspect of something emerging or becoming known, as exemplified by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surface in time" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something will become apparent or known as time passes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, particularly in news and scientific publications. While alternatives like "emerge over time" exist, "surface in time" specifically suggests a delayed or gradual revelation. When writing, it's best to use "surface in time" to suggest a gradual unfolding of events and avoid using it when immediate action is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emerge over time

Replaces 'surface' with 'emerge', emphasizing a gradual appearance.

become apparent eventually

Focuses on the idea of something becoming clear at a later point.

come to light in due course

Implies a natural progression towards revelation.

be revealed at a later stage

Highlights the act of revealing something after a certain period.

manifest itself eventually

Suggests a gradual unfolding or demonstration of something.

appear in the fullness of time

Emphasizes that something will appear when the time is right.

become known with time

Highlights the aspect of discovery or becoming known.

come into view eventually

Focuses on the act of something becoming visible or noticeable.

materialize in the future

Suggests a future realization or coming into being.

unfold as time passes

Highlights the gradual unfolding of events or information.

FAQs

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

You can use "surface in time" to indicate that something will become apparent or known at a later point. For example: "The truth will "surface in time", revealing the real reasons behind the decision."

What are some alternatives to "surface in time"?

Alternatives include "emerge over time", "become apparent eventually", or "come to light in due course", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "surface in time" formal or informal?

"Surface in time" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and scientific writing. It maintains a relatively neutral tone suitable for various situations.

What's the difference between "surface in time" and "happen eventually"?

"Happen eventually" is a general statement about something occurring at a later point, whereas ""surface in time"" specifically suggests that something hidden or not immediately obvious will become known or apparent.