time lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

"time lapse" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an expression that refers to the passing of time more quickly than it normally would, creating the perception of a lapse or interruption. For example: "The stress of the pandemic made the year feel like a time lapse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Time lapse setting.

The Guardian

Why the long time lapse?

The Guardian

Roger Zare's "Time Lapse" alluded to two techniques from photography: time-lapse and high-speed.

The New York Times

Frames overlap and interact, as if seen in time lapse.

The New York Times

The transience, the time lapse, the still yet moving image.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hopefully the time lapse does not cost the team momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Time-lapse movies.

The New York Times - Tech

Time-lapse photography.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He presents an animated time-lapse chart.

The New York Times

Microsoft debuted its time-lapse technology last month.

Independent

Now he mostly makes time-lapse videos for a living.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "time lapse" to describe a video, specify the subject for clarity (e.g., "time lapse of a flower blooming").

Common error

Avoid using "time lapse" when you mean a simple speeding up of footage. "Time lapse" implies capturing images at intervals over a longer period, then playing them back quickly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time lapse" primarily functions as a noun, often used to describe a photographic or cinematographic technique. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing visual media and scientific processes. The phrase also can be an adjective that describes the act of time-lapsing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time lapse" is a common noun phrase referring to a technique where the frequency at which film frames are captured is much lower than that used to view the sequence. When it is played at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and lapsing. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It is very often used in news, science and media, and to ensure accuracy, clarify the subject or process being time-lapsed, and avoid confusing it with simple speeded-up footage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hyperlapse

A specific type of time-lapse with added camera movement.

accelerated time

Focuses on the speeding up of time, rather than the resulting visual effect.

speeded up sequence

Highlights the act of speeding up a sequence of events or images.

fast motion

A more general term for speeding up footage.

compressed duration

Emphasizes the shortening of the time period.

time compression

Similar to compressed duration, but focuses on the process of shortening time.

stop-motion photography

A technique similar to time-lapse, but involving manually moving objects between frames.

condensed timeline

Highlights that a time period is represented in a shorter form.

high-speed photography

While technically the opposite, it still alters the perception of time.

lapse in time

Focuses on the gap created by the sped up timeline.

FAQs

How is "time lapse" photography used?

"Time lapse" photography involves capturing images at set intervals over an extended period, then combining them to create a video that shows changes occurring much faster than in real time. It's used to visualize slow processes like plant growth or cloud movement.

What's the difference between "time lapse" and hyperlapse?

Both "time lapse" and hyperlapse compress time, but hyperlapse involves moving the camera a small distance between each shot, creating a smooth, gliding effect that is not present in standard time lapses.

What are some synonyms for "time lapse"?

Synonyms for "time lapse" include "accelerated time", "speeded up sequence", and "fast motion". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "time lapse" be used outside of photography and video?

Yes, "time lapse" can be used metaphorically to describe any process that seems to occur rapidly. For example, one might say "The project's progress felt like a "time lapse"", meaning it advanced very quickly.