the past time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the past time" is not a common phrase used in English, so it is not technically correct.
You could instead use the phrase "in the past" or "in the past times" to refer to a time period in the past. For example: "In the past times, people relied on horses for transportation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The past time in the war, there were many difficulties.

The New York Times

Studies that were difficult to conduct in the past time due to data availability can now be carried out.

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Christine A. Desan, Out of the Past: Time and Movement in Making the Present, 1 Unbound: Harv.

Harvard University

But as we walk through a trench and back into the past, time begins to behave oddly as now and then and here and there begin to meld.

The Guardian

But in the past, time for professional development goals was usually slotted in around other work responsibilities, like coaching calls with my time management clients.

Harvard Business Review

Her organization will discuss the proposal during its next meeting at 6 p.m. June 19 at the Past Time Club in East Norwalk, though she said the council will probably not take an official position at that time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"We brought a lot of the extra talk because of our fight and what we've gone through the past times we've played each other.

The New York Times - Sports

I think I have improved physically from the past times I've been here, and I think that lends itself to having some more options out there".

The New York Times

These trends in passive viewing (of what seems like a pure waste of time) are perhaps the most disturbing of the past times our children adore.

Huffington Post

In the past, time-dependent input functions u(t) have been represented by constant input functions Bachmann et al. (2011), linear interpolations of the dataset (Quach et al., 2007; Swameye et al., 2003), cubic interpolation splines or by cubic smoothing splines (Maiwald and Timmer, 2008; Raue et al., 2009).

Bioinformatics

The events of this past time set the pattern for the events of the present.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a general period before the present, prefer using "in the past" or "in past times" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "the past time" as a direct substitute for phrases like "in the past". While understandable, it can sound awkward. Instead, rephrase your sentence using more common expressions like "in the past" or "previously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the past time" functions as a noun phrase aiming to denote a period that has already occurred. However, based on Ludwig's analysis, it's not a standard English expression, even though it appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While "the past time" appears in various sources, Ludwig indicates it's not a standard English expression. Its intended function is to reference events or periods before the present, but it's advisable to opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "in the past" or "in past times". The phrase appears across neutral registers, mostly in scientific, news and academic publications. To enhance clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to favour the alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past

Replaces the article and noun with a prepositional phrase, indicating a general reference to prior events.

in former times

Uses a more formal term for "past" and emphasizes a period long ago.

previously

An adverb that succinctly indicates a prior occurrence or state.

in bygone days

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and refers to a more distant past.

in retrospect

Focuses on looking back and evaluating past events with current knowledge.

in days gone by

Similar to "in bygone days", suggesting a time that has passed and is often romanticized.

the old days

Refers to a less specific, often idealized, past period.

earlier

A simple way to refer to something that happened or existed before the present.

in the olden days

Similar to "in bygone days" but is slightly more colloquial.

once upon a time

Used to introduce a story set in a vague and distant past, often in fairy tales.

FAQs

What are the common ways to refer to a period before now?

Common ways to refer to a period before now include phrases like "in the past", "previously", or "in former times" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "the past time" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "the past time" is not a standard or frequently used phrase in English. Consider opting for alternatives like "in the past" or "in past times" for clarity.

How can I use "the past time" in a sentence?

While not common, you might encounter "the past time" in specific contexts, but it's generally better to rephrase using more common alternatives like "the past" or "in the past" for better clarity and naturalness.

Which is correct, "the past time" or "in the past"?

"In the past" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct than "the past time". The former is a common and widely accepted phrase.