time has frozen

USAGE SUMMARY

'time has frozen' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something has stopped in its tracks, particularly when it comes to the passing of time. For example, "As I looked around the classroom, it almost felt like time had frozen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He is disturbed by strange rustling sounds but time has frozen over his disturbing childhood experience.

The Guardian - Books

It's all about creating the illusion that you are there at the concert too, that time has frozen.

The Guardian - Film

Away from the combat, Joyce has to navigate his way through Stutters – pockets of space in which time has frozen still.

The Guardian - Tech

It is not just that time has frozen but that, in stopping its stream, the camera has revealed a near-supernatural radiance protecting Evans, as if her goodness were a force field.

The Guardian - Arts

The inside looks like time has frozen, back in a time before the children of this workshop were even born.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Indeed, much of Lethem seems as if time had frozen for 20 or 30 years.

The New York Times

In a CSMA network, a transmitter still can access the channel if it does not have the lowest backoff time in its contention domain given that all of the transmitters with lower backoff time have frozen their timers.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In a hundred years you may come to realise that time itself has frozen and this moment is all that's left, for eternity.

The Guardian - Opinion

A10 NEW YORK/REGION B1-7 With Crime Down, Jails Are Looking at Hard Times The State Department of Correctional Services has frozen hiring at 36 prisons and hopes to eliminate 614 prison jobs through attrition.

The New York Times

But the increases come at a time when President Obama has frozen spending on many domestic programs, and many Democrats in Congress could find them hard to take politically.

The New York Times

"Enough is enough," says Anne Mariucci, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, which for the first time in 20 years has frozen in-state tuition at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University after increases over the last five years of 84 and 96percentt, respectively.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time has frozen" to evoke a sense of stillness, suspension, or a moment captured indefinitely, often in a context of strong emotion or significant impact.

Common error

Avoid using "time has frozen" in purely literal situations (e.g., describing ice formation). The phrase is most effective when used metaphorically to describe a feeling or atmosphere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time has frozen" functions as an idiomatic expression describing a state where the normal progression of time seems to have ceased, often in response to a powerful emotional or impactful event. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's use in conveying a sense of suspension or stillness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time has frozen" is a grammatically sound and evocative phrase used to express the suspension or cessation of temporal progression, often in the context of strong emotions or impactful events. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's most effective when used metaphorically to describe a feeling or atmosphere rather than in literal contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, primarily within News & Media contexts. Alternatives such as "time stood still" or "the moment was frozen" offer similar nuances, allowing for tailored expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time stood still

This alternative suggests a complete cessation of temporal progression.

time was suspended

This alternative emphasizes the temporary nature of the pause.

the moment was frozen

This alternative focuses on a specific instant being preserved.

time ceased to pass

This alternative highlights the interruption of the normal flow of time.

the clock stopped

This is a metaphorical expression representing time ceasing.

the world stood still

This alternative broadens the scope to encompass the entire world.

everything was paused

This implies a temporary halt in all activity and progression.

the action was suspended

This alternative is suitable in contexts where a particular activity is interrupted.

the tape was paused

This alternative uses the metaphor of pausing a recording to represent a moment frozen in time.

the scene was frozen

This emphasizes that time ceased in a metaphorical theatrical scene.

FAQs

How can I use "time has frozen" in a sentence?

Use "time has frozen" to describe a moment that feels suspended or eternally captured, often due to intense emotion or significance. For example, "As she walked down the aisle, it felt like "time stood still"".

What are some alternatives to "time has frozen"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you can use phrases like "time stood still", "the moment was frozen", or "time was suspended".

Is it grammatically correct to say "time has frozen"?

Yes, "time has frozen" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense of the verb "freeze" to describe a state that began in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

What's the difference between "time has frozen" and "time stopped"?

"Time has frozen" typically implies a more profound or emotional stopping of time, suggesting a moment is captured or suspended. "Time stopped" is a more general statement indicating a cessation of temporal progression, without the same emphasis on emotional or lasting impact. You can use "time stood still".