time will tell

USAGE SUMMARY

"time will tell" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that the answer to a question or the outcome of a situation is uncertain and can only be determined at a later time. For example, "Will this new business venture be successful? Only time will tell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Only time will tell.

Trends in Microbiology

Well time will tell.

Independent

Perhaps time will tell.

The New York Times

And time will tell.

The New York Times

Time will tell.

The New York Times

Time will tell on them.

The New Yorker

And only time will tell".

The New York Times - Sports

He added: "Time will tell.

The New York Times - Sports

"Time will tell," he said.

The New Yorker

"Time will tell," Outerbridge said.

The New Yorker

So time will tell.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time will tell" when you want to acknowledge uncertainty about a future outcome and suggest that the answer will become clear later.

Common error

Avoid using "time will tell" when you actually have a strong belief or expectation about the outcome. The phrase is meant to express genuine uncertainty, not veiled certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time will tell" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that the outcome of a situation or the answer to a question is uncertain and can only be determined in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time will tell" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express uncertainty about future outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's best used when genuine uncertainty exists, rather than implying a known outcome. For more formal settings, alternatives like "the outcome remains to be seen" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remains to be seen

Indicates that the outcome is still uncertain.

only time will reveal

Adds emphasis on time as the sole determinant.

the future will reveal

Emphasizes the revealing aspect of the future.

the outcome remains to be seen

Highlights the undetermined nature of the result.

let's wait and see

Expresses a passive approach to observing future developments.

we shall see what happens

Directly expresses anticipation of future events.

the answer lies in the future

Points to the future as the source of the answer.

events will unfold

Focuses on the unfolding of events over time.

fate will decide

Attributes the outcome to fate or destiny.

the truth will emerge

Suggests that the truth will become known eventually.

FAQs

How can I use "time will tell" in a sentence?

Use "time will tell" to express that the outcome of a situation is uncertain and will only be revealed in the future. For example, "Will this new strategy work? "Time will tell"".

What's a more formal alternative to "time will tell"?

More formal alternatives include "the outcome remains to be seen" or "future events will determine". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are suitable for more professional or academic contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "time will tell" in academic writing?

While "time will tell" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise language in academic writing to indicate the specific factors that will influence the outcome. A phrase like "further research is needed" may be more appropriate.

Can I use "time will tell" when I'm fairly sure of the outcome?

It's best to avoid using "time will tell" when you are already confident about the result. The phrase is most effective when expressing genuine uncertainty or acknowledging unknown factors.