twists of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "twists of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unexpected changes or events that occur over time, often with a sense of intrigue or complexity. Example: "As she reflected on her life, she realized that the twists of time had led her to places she never imagined she would go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Friendships of youth are tested by the twists of time and maturity but invariably prove unbreakable.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a twist of time that any aging baby boomer can appreciate, this measure has the full backing of what used to be called the Establishment.

The New York Times

Haigh fashions their crisis neither as melodrama nor as kitchen-sink realism, but as ghost story, haunted not just by the spectre of an unwitting other woman, posthumously splintering a marriage in a cruel twist of time travel, but by those of the living, the former lives and buried selves of our partners that we never quite know.

The Guardian - Film

Create the world, the characters, laws and rules, possible twists, passage of time and then the story.

WikiHow

I have mixed feelings about this: good preparation for taking standardized tests, but bad for someone who is trying to revel without reservation in the absurd plot twists of "The Time Traveler's Wife".

The New York Times

Writes Yu, "These 3D-printed pieces recreate the act of embracing and are represented in a static form by the flow of movement twisted because of time.

Vice

So how does the ambitious poet with dreams of chairing a department or being published by a huge New York press deal with the sort of intrinsic anonymity that comes with being a poet, subject to the cruel twists of fate of the tests of time?

Huffington Post

Her innovative twists to time honored hallmarks of the traditional wedding gown reintroducing "illusion design," modern updates of the traditional bustle, and tasteful color accents including the now-famous "blue sash" gown have become so popular among prospective brides that they have been recognized as modern classics.

Huffington Post

Andrew Mueller The millionth episode of the popular school-based saga, which suddenly moved to Scotland in the most convoluted plot twist of all time, and yet millions of viewers didn't mind.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

These series, though, demonstrate that, in order to survive, the dom-com now has to come with a twist of either time (period detail), type (racial diversity) or tone (sexual content), with various overlaps between the programmes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In 2013, TV Guide ranked the final scene as the second greatest twist of all time.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "twists of time" to add a touch of intrigue or complexity when describing changes or unexpected events that occur over a period. It's particularly effective in narrative writing or when discussing historical shifts.

Common error

Avoid using "twists of time" in purely factual or scientific contexts where a more straightforward description of changes would be more appropriate. Save it for situations where the unexpected or surprising nature of the changes is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twists of time" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes changes and unexpected events occurring over a certain period.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "twists of time" effectively conveys the idea of unexpected or significant changes that occur over a period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of contexts, particularly news, media, and descriptive writing. Alternatives like ""turns of time"" or ""vicissitudes of time"" can offer nuanced variations on the same theme. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight the surprising or altered course of events, and avoid overusing it in purely factual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn of time

This is a more concise alternative, focusing on a specific turning point or change in time.

unpredicted turns of time

Similar to "unforeseen events of time", this emphasizes the lack of predictability in time's progression.

unforeseen events of time

This alternative explicitly refers to the unexpected nature of the changes brought about by time.

vicissitudes of time

Uses "vicissitudes" instead of "twists", emphasizing the unpredictable and often challenging nature of time's changes.

shifts of time

Replaces "twists" with "shifts", indicating changes or alterations that occur over time.

fluctuations of time

Substitutes "twists" with "fluctuations", highlighting the variability and changes inherent in the progression of time.

complications of time

Substitutes "twists" with "complications", focusing on the challenging or intricate aspects of time's progression.

laps of time

Replaces "twists" with "laps", focusing on the passage of time rather than unexpected turns.

windings of time

Uses "windings" to suggest a more circuitous and less direct path through time compared to "twists".

ticks of time

Changes "twists" to "ticks", concentrating on the incremental and continuous nature of time rather than specific turning points.

FAQs

How can I use "twists of time" in a sentence?

You can use "twists of time" to describe unexpected or significant changes occurring over a period. For example, "The "twists of time" led her to unexpected opportunities".

What are some alternatives to "twists of time"?

Some alternatives include "turns of time", "vicissitudes of time", or "shifts of time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "twists of time" a formal or informal phrase?

"Twists of time" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal writing, although it leans slightly towards the literary or descriptive.

What does "twists of time" imply?

"Twists of time" implies that events have taken an unexpected or altered course, often leading to outcomes that were not originally anticipated. It suggests a sense of unpredictability and change over a period.