tearing time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tearing time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts that convey a sense of urgency, disruption, or the act of breaking apart the flow of time, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In her frantic rush to meet the deadline, she felt as if she were tearing time itself, trying to stretch every moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Social media consumes our lives, tearing time away from studying, writing and reading.

The New York Times

At tearing time, load at failure (F) and final length (L) was measured.

Progress in Biomaterials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Roles roll into each other, crashing and tearing against time.

Huffington Post

Light tears Time to bring it back home?

The Economist

An electronic ticker on its facade spits out the message "We sell hope, love, truth, courage, tears, time".

The New York Times - Arts

Afterward, it was time for the tears, time to receive a final trophy, in the form of a cross section of a clay court.

The New York Times - Sports

"My hamstring can tear any time now," he said after the Spurs' practice session.

The New York Times - Sports

Cycling damages that individual coal units incur are a function of cumulative wear and tear over time.

Energy Economics

tear breakup time.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Nothing stopped normal wear and tear every time it was driven.

Forbes

You are a three-dimensional being, torn by time.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tearing time" to evoke a sense of urgency or disruption, particularly when describing a situation where time seems to be stretched or distorted.

Common error

Avoid using "tearing time" in situations where a more straightforward description of time passing would be more appropriate. The phrase is most effective when used metaphorically to convey a sense of dramatic alteration or strain on temporal experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tearing time" primarily functions as a gerund phrase, acting as an adjective modifying an implied noun. It describes something that is actively disrupting or fragmenting time, as seen in Ludwig's examples where social media is "tearing time" away from other activities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tearing time" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon expression used to convey a sense of disruption or distortion of time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a gerund phrase, often found in News & Media and Science contexts. While its usage is correct, the phrase is best reserved for situations where you want to emphasize a dramatic alteration of the temporal experience. Alternative phrases like "breaking time" or "disrupting time" may be considered for variety. Avoid using it in overly literal contexts to maximize its metaphorical impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destroying time

Emphasizes complete obliteration or negation of time's effects or constraints.

breaking time

Implies shattering or disrupting the conventional flow or constraints of time.

disrupting time

Focuses on disturbing or interrupting the regular progression of time.

shattering time

Highlights the violent fragmentation and disruption of temporal continuity.

fracturing time

Suggests splitting or creating fissures in the fabric of time.

bending time

Conveys the idea of altering or distorting the natural course of time.

warping time

Indicates a twisting or contorting of the temporal dimension.

collapsing time

Suggests a compression or reduction of the perceived duration of time.

eroding time

Focuses on the gradual wearing away or diminishing effect on the experience of time.

devouring time

Implies a consuming or all-encompassing use of time, often in a negative context.

FAQs

How can "tearing time" be used in a sentence?

"Tearing time" can be used to describe situations where time feels distorted or manipulated, such as "Social media consumes our lives, "tearing time" away from studying" or "Roles roll into each other, crashing and "tearing time"."

What phrases are similar to "tearing time"?

Similar phrases include "breaking time", "disrupting time", or "shattering time", each implying a disruption or alteration of the normal passage of time.

In what contexts is "tearing time" most appropriate?

"Tearing time" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize a dramatic or disruptive effect on the experience of time, such as in discussions of social media's impact or in describing chaotic or transformative events.

Is "tearing time" a formal or informal expression?

"Tearing time" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more suited to creative or descriptive writing rather than strictly technical or academic prose. Its effectiveness relies on its metaphorical and evocative qualities.