time has lapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time has lapsed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain duration has passed or elapsed since a specific point in time. Example: "Since the last meeting, time has lapsed, and we need to catch up on our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In many seeds the embryo cannot germinate even under suitable conditions until a certain period of time has lapsed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So much time has lapsed, it is somewhat easy to forget Brand hails from the East Coast.

The New York Times - Sports

But enough time has lapsed for the Pop Group to safely return, not just to the stage, which they have been doing since 2010, but to the studio.

The Guardian - Music

I don't think true history is -- that you really get a picture of history until a period of time has lapsed.

The New York Times

Where did the system let me down?" Too much precious time has lapsed in this case for us to achieve what we want: every child being able to learn.

The New York Times

Defense lawyers plan to argue that too much time has lapsed since the killing of Lillie Belle Allen, a 27-year-old South Carolina woman, making it impossible for their clients to receive a fair trial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"The conversation was just so easy, it was like no time had lapsed," she said.

The New York Times

But no time had lapsed after Bynum had been originally inserted and he had to remain in for at least one play, in accordance with league rules.

The New York Times - Sports

The key finding was that memory performance was far poorer after passing through a doorway into a new room than after covering the same distance within a single room, even though the same amount of time had lapsed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By the time the big guns (my lawyer NYC-based Theo Sedlmayr) completed all the paperwork, soooo much time had lapsed.

Huffington Post

Time had lapsed, so we missed Haitian/Montréal-based emcee Vox Sambou, but we caught DJ Tommy Kruise in his full flight of TRAP, cloud rap and booty breaks, where the crowd of 50% young, energetic Montréal kids and 50% industry types from both festivals had enough of the conference schmoozing, schooling and small-talking.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "time has lapsed", consider the context and choose synonyms like "time has passed" or "time has elapsed" for variety and formality.

Common error

While "lapsed" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for "passed" or "gone by" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time has lapsed" functions as a statement indicating that a certain duration has passed since a specific event or point. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression used to denote the progression of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time has lapsed" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to indicate that a certain period has passed. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While suitable for neutral and formal registers, simpler alternatives like "time has passed" might be preferred in informal settings. The phrase is frequently found in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, reflecting its broad applicability. When using "time has lapsed", consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose accordingly from synonyms like "time has elapsed" for formal contexts or "time has gone by" for informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time has passed

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of saying that a period of time has gone by.

time has elapsed

This alternative is a more formal synonym, suitable for technical or legal contexts.

a period of time has gone by

This alternative is more verbose, emphasizing the duration of the passed time.

a certain time has passed

This version is similar but adds emphasis on the amount of time.

sufficient time has passed

This alternative emphasizes that the time passed is adequate for a specific purpose.

enough time has gone by

This alternative is slightly more informal, implying a required duration.

some time has passed

This alternative indicates that an unspecified amount of time has gone by.

a significant amount of time has passed

This alternative highlights that a notable amount of time has passed.

the deadline has passed

This alternative relates specifically to deadlines or due dates, signifying that the allotted time for something has ended.

the time is over

This alternative is a more direct and conclusive way of stating the time has ended, often in the context of an event or activity.

FAQs

What does "time has lapsed" mean?

The phrase "time has lapsed" means that a certain amount of time has passed or expired since a particular event or point in time. It's often used to indicate that a deadline or a significant period has passed.

What can I say instead of "time has lapsed"?

You can use alternatives like "time has passed", "time has elapsed", or "a "period of time has gone by"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "time has been lapsed"?

No, "time has been lapsed" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "time has lapsed", which is in the present perfect tense.

How does the formality of "time has lapsed" compare to its alternatives?

The phrase "time has lapsed" is more formal than "time has passed" or "time has gone by". "Time has elapsed" is another formal alternative.