timer goes off

USAGE SUMMARY

"timer goes off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a timer making a sound, such as when a timer indicates that the allotted time is up. For example, "The timer went off, signaling the end of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The timer goes off.

The New York Times

Set a stopwatch to five minutes and scroll through the report until the timer goes off.

The New York Times

Stop when the timer goes off, and you'll build self-discipline.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To make it even more difficult, we'll also change the position of the saucer when the Timer goes off.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One of the real beauties of the oven is that when the timer goes off, the thing stops heating.

The New York Times - Food

Once you start the timer, close your eyes, relax, and don't move except to breathe, until the timer goes off.

Harvard Business Review

When the timer goes off, walk away from your list.

Forbes

With pen on paper, begin writing and do not lift your pen until the timer goes off.

Forbes

Thus, when the timer goes off, and the television powers down, you're leaving them alone twice then.

TechCrunch

However, once the photo is opened, and the timer goes off, Snapchat does in fact delete the photo.

TechCrunch

"But when the timer goes off -- enough," she says.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "timer goes off" to clearly signal the termination of a timed interval, in cooking, exercising, or any scheduled activity. It's a straightforward way to indicate the end of a set duration.

Common error

Avoid using "timer runs out" when you mean "timer goes off". "Timer runs out" implies the timer's power source is depleted, while "timer goes off" indicates the end of the timed duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "timer goes off" functions as an indicator of a completed time interval. It commonly denotes that a pre-set duration has ended, prompting a specific action or change. This is supported by Ludwig examples where the phrase signals cooking completion, the end of work intervals, or conclusion of activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

53%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "timer goes off" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the end of a timed interval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including cooking, time management, and scheduled activities. While alternatives like "time's up" or "timer rings" exist, "timer goes off" offers a straightforward and universally understood way to signal the conclusion of a set duration. Remember to avoid confusion with "timer runs out", which refers to battery depletion rather than time completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

timer rings

Focuses on the auditory aspect of the timer ending.

timer buzzes

Similar to 'timer rings', but specifies a different type of sound.

timer sounds

A more general way to describe the timer's alert.

time's up

An idiomatic expression indicating the end of the allotted time.

time expires

More formal and emphasizes the passing of the time limit.

countdown ends

Highlights the completion of a countdown process.

alarm goes off

Similar to 'timer goes off', but more generic, as it can also refer to a security alarm.

bell rings

Indicates the end of time with a bell instead of a timer.

the set time is over

Emphasizes that the defined duration has concluded.

the allotted time has ended

A more formal way of saying the time is up.

FAQs

How can I use "timer goes off" in a sentence?

You can use "timer goes off" to indicate the end of a set period. For example, "When the "timer goes off", it's time to take the cookies out of the oven".

What are some alternatives to "timer goes off"?

Alternatives include "time's up", "timer rings", or "time expires" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the timer went off"?

Yes, "the timer went off" is the past tense and is grammatically correct. It indicates that the timer has already completed its cycle.

What is the difference between "timer goes off" and "alarm goes off"?

"Timer goes off" specifically refers to a device set to measure time, while "alarm goes off" can refer to any alarm, such as a security alarm or a wake-up alarm.