time is suspended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time is suspended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or state where the passage of time seems to be halted or irrelevant, often in moments of intense emotion or focus. Example: "As I stood there, watching the sunset, it felt like time is suspended, and nothing else mattered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Time is suspended".

The New York Times

Time is suspended until the axe falls, and the axe is eternally about to fall.

The Guardian - Arts

Some histories are sad, a few traumatic, but at least one is the relaxed record of an extended friendship, in which time is suspended.

The New York Times - Arts

It is by means of tiny and seemingly trivial touches, for example, that time is suspended in his poem "My Sister's Sleep" and the very silence of the sickroom is heard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Doig's eerie composition 100 Years Ago – one version has a pink sky and pale blue sea, another has a dark blue sky and deeper colours in the water – time is suspended.

The Guardian - Arts

Connections with the music of his former teacher are hard to establish though when the fierce toccatas are interrupted by moments of stasis, when time is suspended and the spaces filled with trills, arabesques or dying resonances, reminders of how Messiaen reinvented concepts of musical time and its flows, were hard to mistake.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The shares, not for the first time, are suspended.

Independent

"Time was suspended in a sort of purgatory".

The New Yorker

But in this dream dimension, space and time are suspended, and only her spirit is free.

The Guardian - Music

His jail time was suspended on condition of good behavior for one year.

The New York Times

Time was suspended as the minor commotion of an unexpected visitor failed to materialise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time is suspended" to describe moments where the normal passage of time seems altered, often during periods of intense focus, emotional experiences, or altered states of consciousness. Ensure the context clearly supports this alteration of temporal perception.

Common error

Avoid using "time is suspended" in contexts where time is merely slowed or managed differently, rather than experientially altered. The phrase implies a more profound disruption of temporal awareness than simply being busy or multitasking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time is suspended" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a subjective experience where the normal flow of time seems to halt or become irrelevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time is suspended" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a subjective experience where the normal flow of time seems to halt or become irrelevant. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it finds use across news media, encyclopedias and scientific articles to define altered states of perception. Related phrases include "time stands still" and "time feels frozen". When using this phrase, ensure the context supports this distortion of time, avoiding literal interpretations. Its communicative purpose is to express a profound detachment from temporal awareness, often in moments of great intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time stands still

This alternative emphasizes a complete cessation of the passage of time, implying a moment of stillness.

time feels frozen

Focuses on the subjective experience of time slowing dramatically, as if immobilized.

time seems to stop

Similar to "time stands still", but uses "seems" to add a layer of perception or illusion.

time slows down

Emphasizes a reduction in the speed of time's passage, rather than a complete halt.

time stretches out

Suggests that a period of time feels longer than it actually is.

time loses meaning

This conveys that time ceases to be a relevant measure or factor in a situation.

time becomes irrelevant

Similar to "time loses meaning", but more directly states the unimportance of time.

the moment is timeless

Describes a moment that feels outside of time, unbounded and eternal.

the clock stops ticking

A more figurative way of saying time has stopped using the clock as a symbol of time itself.

the world fades away

This implies a disconnection from the external world, including the sense of time passing.

FAQs

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

You can use "time is suspended" to describe moments when the normal flow of time seems to pause or become irrelevant, often due to intense focus or emotional experiences. For example, "During the performance, it felt like "time is suspended" and only the music mattered."

What does it mean when "time is suspended"?

When "time is suspended", it means that the regular perception of time is altered or seems to stop altogether. This can occur during moments of great intensity, such as witnessing an accident or experiencing a profound artistic performance.

What are some phrases similar to "time is suspended"?

Alternatives to "time is suspended" include "time stands still", "time feels frozen", or "time seems to stop". Each of these phrases conveys a similar sense of temporal distortion.

Is it grammatically correct to say "time is suspended"?

Yes, the phrase "time is suspended" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a perceived alteration or cessation of the normal passage of time.