the times

USAGE SUMMARY

"the times" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time in the past or present, or to refer to a newspaper. Example sentence: "The times have changed since last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— the Times.

The New Yorker

The Times is imperfect.

The New York Times

So behind the times.

The New York Times

"This is the "Times".

The New Yorker

— Editorial in the Times.

The New Yorker

(The Times complied).

The New York Times

Well…it's the Times.

The New Yorker

"Absurd" thundered the Times.

The Economist

The times were desperate.

The New Yorker

The Times ran that.

The New Yorker

[The Times, CBS Sports].

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the times" to refer to a specific era, provide context to avoid ambiguity. For example, "the times of the Roman Empire" is clearer than simply "the times".

Common error

Be mindful of capitalization. "The Times" with a capital 'T' usually refers to a specific newspaper, while "the times" in lowercase refers to a period of time or current events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the times" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a specific period or era, or can denote current events or conditions. Ludwig AI shows its versatility in various contexts, from historical references to present-day situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the times" is a versatile phrase, primarily functioning as a noun phrase to denote a period, era, or current events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially within News & Media. It's crucial to differentiate between "the times" (a period) and "The Times" (a newspaper), paying attention to capitalization for clarity. When referring to specific periods, adding context helps prevent ambiguity. Using related phrases such as ""the era"" or "current events"" can provide alternative ways to express similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the newspaper

When "the Times" is used as short version for "The New York Times" or other newspapers with 'Times' in the title

the present day

Highlights the current period, similar to using "the times" to refer to today.

these days

Highlights the current trend or fashion or period, similar to using "the times" to refer to present

the era

Refers to a specific period in history, similar to "the times" when referring to a past era.

the age

Indicates a specific period with defining characteristics, much like a historical understanding of "the times".

current events

Focuses on happenings of the present, like "the times" in its contemporary sense.

the spirit of the age

Highlights the prevailing attitude or philosophy, similar to understanding "the times" in a cultural sense.

the prevailing climate

Emphasizes the atmosphere or conditions of a particular period, akin to describing "the times".

the zeitgeist

Captures the defining spirit or mood of a particular period, much like "the times".

the existing conditions

Refers to the circumstances of the moment, closely related to understanding "the times".

FAQs

How do I use "the times" in a sentence?

You can use "the times" to refer to a general period, as in "the times have changed", or to refer to a specific era by adding a descriptive phrase, like "the times of the dinosaurs".

What does "the Times" refer to?

"The Times" with a capital 'T' typically refers to a newspaper, such as "The New York Times" or "The Times of India". The specific newspaper depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "the times" when referring to a period?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the era", "the age", or "the period".

Which is correct, "in those times" or "in that time"?

"In those times" is used to refer to a general era, while "in that time" refers to a specific duration. For example, "In those times, things were different" vs. "In that time, I learned a lot".