time came

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time came" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate a specific moment or period when something happened or will happen. Example: The time came for me to make a decision about my future. In this sentence, "time came" implies that a specific moment arrived when the speaker had to make a decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Time came and went.

The New Yorker

The time came.

The New Yorker

The time came to inform the Americans.

The New Yorker

The appointed time came and went.

The New York Times

But then the time came.

The Guardian - Sport

Last night my time came.

The New York Times - Sports

Break time came and went.

The Guardian

When his time came, though, Butterfield testified.

The New Yorker

Finally, in the afternoon, my time came.

The Guardian - Opinion

The meeting time came and went.

The Guardian

I ask when that time came.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific infinitives, such as "the time came to leave", to clarify the purpose of the moment.

Common error

Avoid using redundant adverbs like "eventually" or "finally" directly adjacent to the phrase unless you specifically want to emphasize the long duration of the wait. For example, "eventually the time came" is acceptable, but "the time finally came at the end" is often cluttered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time came" functions as a subject-verb pairing where "time" is the noun subject and "came" is the intransitive verb in the past tense. According to Ludwig, it serves as a temporal marker that indicates the transition into an expected event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Professional Correspondence

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time came" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to mark the arrival of a specific moment. Ludwig AI shows that it is exceptionally prevalent in high-quality journalism, appearing frequently in outlets like The New Yorker and The New York Times. It is most effective when used to transition from a period of preparation or waiting to a definitive action. While simple in structure, its power lies in its ability to provide a clear narrative bridge. For writers seeking more variety, alternatives like "the moment arrived" can provide additional weight, but "time came" remains the standard for neutral and reliable English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the moment arrived

Adds a slightly more dramatic or poignant tone to the event.

when it was time

Constructed as a dependent clause, making it more flexible for complex sentences.

the occasion presented itself

A more formal register often used in professional or historical contexts.

at the appointed time

Functions as a prepositional phrase focusing on an agreed-upon or pre-planned slot.

the opportunity arose

Shifts the focus from a purely chronological point to a specific chance for action.

the scheduled moment occurred

Technical and precise, removing the idiomatic weight of the original phrase.

the juncture was reached

More academic and formal, often used in strategic or logical discussions.

the hour struck

A more metaphorical and literary way to signal a final or decisive moment.

it finally happened

A simpler, more informal way to express that a long-awaited point was reached.

the day dawned

Specifies that the event occurred at the beginning of a specific date.

FAQs

How do I use "time came" in a sentence?

You can use "time came" to show that a specific moment has arrived, such as "When the "time came" to give the speech, she felt confident".

What can I say instead of "time came"?

Depending on your context, you can use more specific alternatives like "the moment arrived", "it was time", or "the opportunity arose".

Is "the time came" or "the time has come" more common?

Use "the time came" for past events in narrative form. Use "the time has come" for present or immediate situations where action is required now.

What is the difference between "time came" and "time arrived"?

While both are correct, "time arrived" is slightly more formal, whereas "time came" is a more natural idiomatic expression found frequently in journalism and literature.