time is ticking

USAGE SUMMARY

'time is ticking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that time is passing quickly. For example, "We only have five minutes to finish this task - time is ticking!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Time is ticking away.

The Guardian - Sport

"The time is ticking," he said.

The New York Times

Time is ticking in the redzone.

The Guardian - Sport

No timeout taken, time is ticking.

The Guardian - Sport

Time is ticking away on screen.

The Guardian - Film

Time is ticking away for Algeria now.

The Guardian - Sport

And time is ticking down for these swimmers.

The Guardian - Sport

But time is ticking down for Mr. Persky.

The New York Times

It's the illusion that time is ticking away.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's hard to be truly experimental on a time-is-ticking shift.

BBC

I imagine that life with Today offers us some badly-needed psychological relief from the anxiety-inducing, time-is-ticking, ok-what's-next mentality that we've been bred to feel when we glance at a clock.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "time is ticking", be sure to clearly articulate what is at stake. The phrase is more impactful when the reader understands the consequences of inaction.

Common error

While "time is ticking" is effective, avoid overusing it. Frequent repetition can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by incorporating synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to convey the same message with freshness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time is ticking" functions as an idiomatic expression to emphasize the urgency or limited duration of a situation. This expression is used to convey that a deadline is fast approaching and that action is needed promptly. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sport

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time is ticking" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of urgency and impending deadlines. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from news and sports to general conversation. While highly effective, it's essential to avoid overuse and to ensure the context clearly articulates what's at stake. Alternative phrases like "clock is running down" or "we're running out of time" can offer variety while maintaining the same message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're running out of time

More direct and personal way to express urgency.

time is running short

Highlights the scarcity of time.

the clock is running down

Emphasizes the decreasing amount of time remaining.

the deadline is approaching

Highlights the nearness of a final date or time.

the sands are running out

A more metaphorical way of expressing the limited time available.

the window of opportunity is closing

Focuses on the shrinking chances of success.

the hour is late

Indicates that little time remains to complete a task.

the end is near

Implies the imminent conclusion of a period or event.

the game is almost over

References the end of the game, implying end is about to happen.

act now

A command to express the need to take immediate action.

FAQs

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

You can use "time is ticking" to emphasize the urgency of a situation. For example, "The deadline is tomorrow, "time is ticking"!"

What's a more impactful way to say "time is ticking"?

Consider using phrases like "clock is running down" or "we're running out of time" to add more emphasis to the urgency.

When is it appropriate to use "time is ticking"?

It is suitable when a deadline is approaching, an opportunity is about to close, or immediate action is required. It's effective in situations where there's a need to create a sense of urgency.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "time is ticking"?

Alternatives include "deadline is approaching", "sands are running out", and "window of opportunity is closing", all conveying a sense of urgency and limited time.