the time came

USAGE SUMMARY

"the time came" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a moment when something significant or anticipated occurs. Example: "The time came for her to make a decision." Alternative expressions include "the moment arrived" and "the hour had come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The time came.

The New Yorker

The time came to inform the Americans.

The New Yorker

But then the time came.

The Guardian - Sport

And when the time came, White delivered.

The Washington Post

They decided differently when the time came".

The New York Times - Magazine

The time came to enter the mosque.

The Guardian

And three years later, the time came.

The New York Times

When the time came, Bartholomew didn't marry, either.

The New Yorker

When the time came on Saturday, he exploded into first.

The New York Times - Sports

But when the time came, his Detroit rasp was ready.

The New York Times - Arts

The time came for me to leave, and I left.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with an infinitive (e.g., "the time came to leave") to clearly define the action being taken.

Common error

Writers sometimes combine this phrase with other time-related indicators unnecessarily, such as "when the time finally came at that moment". This is redundant. Stick to a simple construction like "when the time finally came" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the time came" consists of a noun phrase ("the time") acting as the subject and an intransitive verb ("came") in the simple past tense. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a narrative milestone marker, often followed by an infinitive phrase or a prepositional phrase to specify what the time was for.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Legal & Regulatory

2%

Technical Manuals

1%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the time came" is a robust and highly reliable linguistic tool used to signal the arrival of an expected or significant moment. Ludwig AI highlights its widespread use in top-tier journalism and literature, where it serves as a bridge between preparation and action. Whether describing the moment a decision was made in a political context or the start of a scientific procedure, the phrase remains a clear, grammatically correct choice. It is most effective when used sparingly to highlight major transitions in a story or report.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time had come

Uses the past perfect tense to suggest a buildup leading to the moment.

the moment arrived

Focuses on the exact point in time rather than the broader period.

it was time

A more concise and direct alternative often used for emphasis.

the day came

Used when referring to a specific date or a long-anticipated event.

the opportunity arose

Implies that the time was not just passing but providing a specific chance for action.

the hour struck

A more dramatic or metaphorical way to describe a critical deadline or turning point.

the occasion presented itself

A more formal register indicating that a favorable moment appeared.

the instant was upon us

Heightens the sense of immediacy and presence.

the situation reached a head

Suggests a climax or the point where a decision became unavoidable.

the time ripened

A literary metaphor suggesting the moment is now perfectly suited for action.

FAQs

How to use "the time came" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a significant event, such as in: "After years of training, "the time came" to compete in the Olympics."

What can I say instead of "the time came"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "the moment arrived", "it was time", or "the hour struck".

What is the difference between "the time came" and "the time had come"?

The phrase "the time came" is simple past, typically used for sequential events in a story. "the time had come" is past perfect, often used to emphasize that a moment was the culmination of previous events.

Is "the time came" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a neutral and correct phrase. While common in stories, Ludwig shows it is also used in reputable news sources like "The New York Times" and "The Economist".