Meaning & use
time goes so fast
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Used to say that a period of time seems to pass more quickly than expected.
Grammar: Stands alone as a full sentence; do not add an object after it.
Patterns
- time goes so fast when someone does something
- time goes so fast that ...
Time goes so fast when you're with friends you enjoy.
The weekend was over before I knew it — time goes so fast.
Time goes so fast that I still haven't finished the book I started in June.
phrasefixed phrase
Said to express surprise that a lot of time has passed since a past event.
Grammar: Often followed by a clause beginning with 'since' or 'when'.
Patterns
- time goes so fast since ...
- time goes so fast when ...
Time goes so fast since we left school; it's been ten years.
Looking at old photos, I thought: time goes so fast.
Common combinations
- time goes so fast when ...
- Time goes so fast when we're all laughing together.
- time goes so fast since ...
- Time goes so fast since I moved to this city.
- say time goes so fast
- People always say time goes so fast, and now I believe them.
- feel like time goes so fast
- It feels like time goes so fast during the summer holidays.
- time goes so fast that ...
- Time goes so fast that I forgot to call her back.
Synonyms and how they differ
- time flies
- More idiomatic and slightly more informal; it usually describes a whole enjoyable occasion rather than a specific period.
- time passes quickly
- A plainer, more neutral version that fits writing as well as speech.
- the hours fly by
- Focuses on a short stretch of hours rather than a general feeling about time.
Opposites
Word family
- time flies phrase
- A common fixed expression with almost the same meaning.
- fast adverb
- At high speed; the key word in this phrase.
Commonly confused: time goes so fast or time flies?
time goes so fast vs time flies
Very similar, but 'time flies' is a set idiom and is more casual; 'time goes so fast' sounds like a personal comment and can be followed by 'when' or 'since'.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase naturally?
Choose one answer.
The phrase describes how a period feels while it is happening, so a 'when' clause works well. The other options break the grammar: 'my homework yesterday' has no verb link, 'to finish' does not fit the pattern, and 'tomorrow' clashes with a finished action.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “time goes so fast”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.