time have passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time have passed" is not correct in written English.
The correct form should be "time has passed" as "time" is a singular noun. Example: "Since we last met, a lot of time has passed, and I have missed our conversations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The findings of the report by worker rights group Labour Behind the Label follow a spate of mass faintings over recent years, when groups of up to 300 at a time have passed out.

Independent

Since July 2015, when an Isis suicide bomber murdered 32 young leftist activists in the border city of Suruç, scarcely a few months at a time have passed without a city in Turkey being bombed.

The Guardian - Opinion

18 July 2007 Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown tells parliament: "The US authorities have repeatedly given us assurances that no terrorist suspects have been, or are being, held on Diego Garcia, or at any time have passed in transit through Diego Garcia or its territorial waters or airspace".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So time has passed?

The New York Times

That time has passed.

The New York Times

How much time has passed?

The New York Times - Arts

Now more time has passed.

The New York Times - Arts

It's time has passed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Too bad their time has passed.

The New Yorker

I think that time has passed.

The Guardian

Maybe Leonardo's time has passed.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form, "time has passed", to refer to the progression of time. Remember that "time" is a singular noun in this context.

Common error

Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. The incorrect form "time have passed" often arises from neglecting the singular nature of "time" in this construction. It's a good practice to double-check subject-verb agreement, especially in complex sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time have passed" is intended to function as a statement indicating the progression of time. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI states, the correct form is "time has passed". The presence of the incorrect form in some sources suggests potential errors in writing or editing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "time have passed" appears in some sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "time has passed". Ludwig AI identifies this error, emphasizing the importance of subject-verb agreement. Although examples exist, they are likely due to errors in writing or editing. When aiming to express the progression of time, always use the grammatically correct form or consider alternatives like "time has elapsed" or "time has gone by". News & Media is the most frequent context, but correctness should always be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time has elapsed

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to indicate that time has gone by.

time has gone by

This alternative uses a common phrasal verb to indicate the passing of time.

time has slipped away

This alternative uses a more figurative expression to convey the idea that time has passed quickly or unnoticed.

time marches on

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes the relentless and unstoppable nature of time's passage.

years have elapsed

This alternative specifies that a longer duration (years) has passed.

a period has transpired

This alternative uses a more formal and less common term (transpired) to indicate that a period of time has passed.

the clock has ticked

This alternative refers to the ticking of a clock as a metaphor for the passing of time.

eras have unfolded

This alternative suggests that significant historical periods have passed.

seasons have changed

This alternative uses the changing seasons as a measure of time passing.

an age has dawned

This alternative suggests that a new era or age has begun after a period of time.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "time have passed"?

The correct grammatical form is "time has passed", as "time" is a singular noun in this context and requires a singular verb.

Are there other ways to express that time has gone by?

Yes, you can use phrases like "time has elapsed", "time has gone by", or "time has slipped away" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "time have passed" ever correct in English?

No, "time have passed" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is always "time has passed".

What's the difference between "time has passed" and "times have changed"?

"Time has passed" refers to the general progression of time. "Times have changed" refers to societal or cultural shifts that have occurred over a period of time.