time went by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time went by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the passage of time, often in a reflective or narrative context. Example: "As the years passed, I often found myself reminiscing about my childhood, realizing how quickly time went by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The women said that the rejection worsened as time went by, as initially, the husband hoped the woman would heal.

BMC Women's Health

But then the time went by.

Independent

As time went by, techniques for evading the ban developed.

Yale University

"Beloved" 's profile only got higher as time went by.

The New Yorker

I screamed a scream as time went by.

The New Yorker

As time went by, George learned to empathize with others.

Harvard Business Review

"Time went by very quickly,"' Mr. Fink said.

The New York Times

As time went by, people started to open up.

The New Yorker

As time went by, familiarity did indeed breed contempt.

The New York Times

And not just for the aristocracy, as time went by.

The Guardian

Then, as time went by, that became literally true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time went by" when you want to narrate how situations, feelings, or understandings evolved or changed over a period. For example, "As "time went by", she began to understand the nuances of her new job."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using the phrase. Ensure the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense to match "went". For example, don't mix: "As "time went by", she starts to understand..." instead of "As "time went by", she started to understand...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time went by" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the passage of time. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in narrative contexts, showing the simple elapsing of time or serving as a backdrop for changes or developments. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time went by" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the simple passage of time, commonly appearing in narratives to set a temporal context or introduce changes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While generally neutral in register, it finds frequent use in news media, science, and formal business contexts. For more formal or nuanced expressions, alternatives like "time passed" or "time slipped away" might be considered. When utilizing this phrase, maintain consistent tense and ensure clarity in the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time passed

A more direct and simple way of stating that time has elapsed.

time elapsed

More formal than "time went by", emphasizing the amount of time that has passed.

time marched on

Implies a relentless, unstoppable passage of time.

as time unfolded

Suggests a gradual revelation or development over time.

time slipped away

Emphasizes the unnoticed or regretted passing of time.

time wore on

Conveys a sense of time passing slowly, often with a feeling of tedium.

as the days went by

More specific, focusing on the passing of days.

years went by

Focuses on a longer period; the passing of multiple years.

with the passage of time

A more formal and descriptive way to express the same concept.

time progressed

A more formal way to express how time advanced.

FAQs

What does "time went by" mean?

The phrase "time went by" simply means that a period of time has passed. It's often used in narratives to indicate the progression of events or the evolution of a situation over time.

What can I say instead of "time went by"?

You can use alternatives like "time passed", "time elapsed", or "time slipped away" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the time went by"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and natural to say "time went by" without the article "the". Adding "the" implies a specific or previously mentioned time, which is usually not the intended meaning.

How can I use "time went by" in a sentence?

You can use "time went by" to describe a change or development over a period. For instance, "As "time went by", their initial excitement faded into routine", or "Not much happened; "time went by" quietly".