time is past

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "time is past" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the point in time that something has already occurred or passed. For example: "Our time together was short, but time is past and I must now move on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"But that is the fate of journalists in our country, although that time is past now".

The New York Times

But another argument is that the time is past for rape victims to be stigmatized in this manner.

The New York Times

The time is past when the Supreme Court, with one sweeping decision, could push race relations in America towards dramatic change.

The Economist

But many Koreans say the time is past due for them to begin clearing the historic skeletons out of their own closets.

The New York Times

"The time is past when all we were doing in Britain were tedious imitations of the stiff, formal style he invented at the Berliner Ensemble [the group Brecht founded in 1949 with his wife, Helene Weigel].

The Economist

"The time is past when companies only displayed studies," said Ferdinand Dudenh?r, director of the Center for Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Duisburg, Germany.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Mr. Jackson said the time was past for Democrats to fight each other.

The New York Times

The time was past when a formal affront – a strike at the cheek with a glove for example – was deemed necessary in order to announce one's challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alas, those uninteresting times are past.

The Economist

Zynga was a great company in the days when social games were all about being fast movers and fast followers, but those times are past.

TechCrunch

If he had not been so sure his own time was past it would have sounded like an audition.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time is past" to indicate that an opportunity or a suitable moment has already elapsed and can no longer be acted upon. Ensure the context clearly defines what specific time or opportunity has passed.

Common error

Avoid using "time is past" when you mean "past time". "Time is past" indicates an opportunity has been missed, while "past time" refers to a point earlier than the present. For instance, instead of saying "It is time is past to submit the application", say "It is past time to submit the application".

Linguistic Context

"Time is past" functions as a statement indicating that a particular moment, deadline, or opportunity has already elapsed. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in English. It serves to signal the end of a period suitable for specific action or consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time is past" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a specific moment or opportunity has elapsed. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable and usable. Analysis of various sources, including news outlets and formal business documents, shows that it serves to convey a sense of urgency or finality. Though versatile, it should not be confused with "past time", which signifies that something is overdue. The related phrases, such as "the opportunity is missed" and "it is too late", provide alternative ways to express similar meanings. When using "time is past", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific moment or opportunity that has passed to avoid any confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that time has passed

Uses "has passed" instead of "is past", providing a more explicit indication of the completion of the time period.

the moment has gone

Replaces "time" with "moment" and uses the verb "gone" instead of "past", emphasizing the departure of an opportunity.

the window has closed

Metaphorically refers to the end of a favorable period.

the opportunity is missed

Focuses on the lost "opportunity" rather than the passage of time, highlighting the consequence of the missed moment.

the period is over

Emphasizes the completion of a specific duration or phase.

it is too late

A more direct and concise way of saying that the window for action or change has closed.

that ship has sailed

Idiomatically expresses that an opportunity is gone.

the deadline has expired

Specifically refers to the end of a set period for completion or submission.

the hour is late

Uses 'hour' instead of 'time', emphasizing that action should be taken now.

it's water under the bridge

Implies that an event is in the past and cannot be changed.

FAQs

How can I use "time is past" in a sentence?

You can use "time is past" to indicate that an opportunity or a deadline has already passed. For example, "The time for negotiations "is past"; now we must act decisively."

What is a more formal way to say "time is past"?

A more formal alternative to "time is past" might be "the opportune moment has elapsed" or "the period for action has concluded". These alternatives are more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "time is past" to express regret?

To express regret, you could say "the opportunity was missed" or "it is now too late". For example, "The opportunity to invest in that company "is missed", and I regret not acting sooner."

Is there a difference between "time is past" and "it is past time"?

Yes, "time is past" means a specific moment or opportunity has passed, while "it is past time" means something should have been done earlier. For example, "The time for discussion "is past", let's implement the plan", versus "It "is past time" we addressed this issue".