time elapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

"time elapsed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the passage of time. For example, "We were surprised by how quickly the time elapsed during our vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some time elapsed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Time elapsed: Five minutes or less.

The New York Times

Time elapsed: six minutes, twenty-nine seconds.

The New Yorker

Time elapsed from door to door: almost three hours.

The New York Times

Mr. Morello said he did not know how much time elapsed before he died.

The New York Times

A bit of time elapsed before one of the officers emerged.

The New Yorker

The longer the time elapsed since a film was made, the more obstacles mount up.

The Guardian - Film

The time elapsed swiftly as he sadly sipped from his soda.

The New York Times

"There's no time elapsed, even if we don't see each other in between".

The New York Times

But soccer fans have not always demanded more than score and time elapsed.

The New York Times

It is unclear how much time elapsed before each rug was noticed missing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting experimental results, clearly state the "time elapsed" between key events to ensure reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "time lapsed" when you mean "time elapsed". "Time lapsed" usually refers to time-lapse photography, while "time elapsed" refers to the amount of time that has passed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time elapsed" functions as a noun phrase indicating the quantity of time that has passed. It is often used in contexts where precise measurement or reporting of duration is important, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time elapsed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that quantifies the duration between two points in time. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across science, news, and other fields, with a neutral to formal register. It is important to avoid confusing it with "time lapsed". The phrase's purpose is primarily to provide objective measurements and describe experimental conditions. Alternatives like "duration passed" or "interval passed" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time transpired

Uses a more formal verb to describe the passage of time.

duration passed

Replaces "time" with "duration", emphasizing the length of the interval.

the passage of time

Emphasizes the process of time moving forward.

lapse of time

Highlights a break or interruption in activity due to the passing of time.

period expired

Focuses on the end of a specific time period.

interval passed

Highlights the space between two points in time.

time that has gone by

More descriptive and less concise.

since then

Indicates a point in time serving as a reference for subsequent events.

time since

Shorter, focusing on the starting point.

subsequent time

Emphasizes the period following a specific event.

FAQs

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

You can use "time elapsed" to describe the duration between two events. For instance, "The "time elapsed" between the start of the experiment and the first observation was 30 minutes."

What is a more formal alternative to "time elapsed"?

A more formal alternative could be "duration passed" or "interval transpired", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

How does the meaning of "time elapsed" differ from "time remaining"?

"Time elapsed" refers to the amount of time that has passed since an event started, while "time remaining" indicates how much time is left before an event concludes.

What's the difference between "time elapsed" and "time passed"?

While very similar, "time elapsed" often has a more technical or precise connotation, frequently used in scientific or quantitative contexts. "Time passed" is a more general and common expression.