time has gone by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time has gone by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the passage of time, often reflecting on how much time has elapsed since a particular event or moment. Example: "It's hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly since we last met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So much time has gone by". Quigley said the families had remained in touch with each other.

The Washington Post

"Now time has gone by.

The New York Times

We don't even realize how much time has gone by.

The New Yorker

The time has gone by, and I'm still here".

The New York Times

"A lot of time has gone by," he said.

The Guardian

"It's a lot more settled as time has gone by.

The Guardian

As time has gone by it's gotten better and better".

The Guardian

I've become prouder and prouder to be a Princeton grad as time has gone by.

Princeton University

"But it going to be hard, because so much time has gone by".

The New York Times - Tech

"The time has gone by since the Southern people loved the Union.

The New York Times

Prosecutions look unlikely: time has gone by, documents have been destroyed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time has gone by" to reflect on changes, memories, or feelings associated with the passage of time. It's often used to create a sense of nostalgia or to highlight a transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "time has gone by" when you simply want to indicate the current time or a future event. This phrase is best suited for retrospective reflections, not timelines or schedules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time has gone by" functions as a statement indicating the passage of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It often introduces a reflection or observation about the events or changes that occurred during that period, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time has gone by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for indicating the passage of time, often with an undertone of reflection or nostalgia. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic and Science, it serves to express reflection on events occurred during the period or surprise at how quickly the time has slipped away. When writing, use it to express a temporal distance, but remember not to use it for mere timelines or schedules. Alternatives like "time has passed" or "time has elapsed" can be used for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time has passed

A more direct and simple way of stating that time has elapsed.

a lot of time has passed

Emphasizes the significant amount of time that has passed.

so much time has passed

Similar to 'a lot of time has passed', but conveys a sense of surprise or disbelief.

time has elapsed

A more formal way to indicate that time has passed.

time has slipped away

Emphasizes the unnoticed or quick passage of time.

time has flown

Indicates that time passed quickly and pleasantly.

days have gone by

Specifically refers to the passing of multiple days.

time marches on

Highlights the continuous and unstoppable progression of time.

the years have passed

Specifically refers to the passing of multiple years.

the clock has ticked

Emphasizes the continuous and relentless measure of time.

FAQs

What does "time has gone by" mean?

The phrase "time has gone by" means that a certain amount of time has passed since a particular event or point in time. It is often used to reflect on the changes or experiences that have occurred during that period.

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

You can use "time has gone by" in a sentence to express the passage of time and often to reflect on how things have changed. For example, "It's amazing how much "time has gone by" since we graduated from college."

What are some alternatives to "time has gone by"?

Some alternatives to "time has gone by" include "time has passed", "time has elapsed", or "time has slipped away". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "time has went by" instead of "time has gone by"?

No, "time has went by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "go" is "gone", so the correct phrase is ""time has gone by"".