time gone

USAGE SUMMARY

"time gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a moment when something has passed and is no longer available. For example, "The time gone from my childhood is a memory I cherish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

More time gone.

The New York Times - Sports

Time gone and time waiting".

Independent

Where has this gap of time gone?

The New York Times - Books

They also reflect a time gone by.

The New York Times

Where had the time gone?

The Guardian - Books

A long time gone, but never forgotten.

The New York Times

We wonder, where has the time gone?

The New York Times

Will be for a long time gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that was then, a long time gone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That's two hours of your time -- gone.

Huffington Post

They were fronted by weary men who lived in bubbles of time-gone-by that hadn't yet burst.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time gone" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or loss, especially when discussing memories or past experiences. For example, "The old photographs reminded her of a "time gone" by."

Common error

Avoid using "time gone" when you need a continuous tense. For instance, instead of saying "The time is gone," consider "The time has gone by" or "Time is passing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time gone" functions primarily as a post-positive adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "a "time gone" by"). It describes a period or era that is in the past, often with connotations of nostalgia or irretrievability. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Books

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Huffington Post

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time gone" is a versatile phrase used to describe a period in the past, often with an emphasis on nostalgia or a sense of irretrievability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It functions as a post-positive adjective and commonly appears in news articles, books, and general conversation. While generally neutral in tone, it can evoke a sense of sentimentality or historical perspective. When writing, it's best to use "time gone" to describe past eras or experiences rather than in continuous tenses. By considering the context and intended nuance, writers can effectively utilize "time gone" to add depth and emotion to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time elapsed

Focuses on the measurable duration that has passed.

time passed

A general term for time that has moved forward.

bygone days

Refers to a period in the past, often with nostalgic connotations.

former times

Indicates a previous era or period.

days of yore

Evokes a sense of antiquity and historical distance.

previous era

Highlights a distinct period in the past.

time immemorial

Signifies a time so distant it's beyond memory or record.

long ago

A simple, direct way to indicate a distant point in the past.

past times

Refers generally to time that is no longer the present.

olden days

Suggests a quaint or idealized view of the past.

FAQs

How can I use "time gone" in a sentence?

You can use "time gone" to refer to a past period or era, such as in the sentence, "The artifacts in the museum represented a "time gone" by." It can also be used more abstractly to express lost opportunities or vanished moments.

What are some alternatives to "time gone"?

Alternatives include "time elapsed", "time passed", or "bygone days", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the time is gone"?

While understandable, a more grammatically correct way to express that idea is "the time has gone by" or "the time has passed". "Time gone" functions better as a descriptor rather than a complete verb phrase.

What's the difference between "time gone by" and "time passing by"?

"Time gone by" refers to a completed period, emphasizing that it's over. "Time passing by" /s/time+passing+by, on the other hand, highlights the continuous nature of time's movement, often suggesting a sense of witnessing time's flow.