When time permits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "When time permits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action will be taken when there is available time to do so. Example: "I will review your proposal when time permits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

When time permits, he will continue to write.

The New York Times

Books are also elementary, when time permits.

The New York Times

ANCIENT ART When time permits, very rarely, I practice calligraphy with my wife — Chinese calligraphy.

The New York Times

As Holme commented, his plan could "when time permits, be augmented".

The Guardian

Maybe, when time permits, we'll go back and read the books".

The Guardian - Books

And when time permits, I take my bicycle to Central Park.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Pochettino and Pérez had bumped into Ferguson at the League Managers Association's president's dinner in March and they resolved to do lunch, when time permitted.

The Guardian - Sport

The poet's friend lived far away, but they wrote back and forth when time permitted and sometimes talked on the phone.

Vice

"As a student, when time permitted, I would lay down alone on the floor in the darkness of the Conservatory's [Conservatoire de Musique du Québec à Trois-Rivière] listening room.

Vice

Typically, spectroscopic data were measured from one margin per case and when time permitted, measured from up to five margins before the end of the operation.

Breast Cancer Research

Overall participants indicated that, when time permitted, their preference of use, in descending order, was: professional interpreters (first choice), then the language line and finally other hospital staff or family members.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting formal correspondence, make your commitments clear by adding a phrase like "I will review this matter when time permits", which clarifies that action will be taken, albeit without a fixed schedule.

Common error

While "When time permits" is acceptable, overuse can make commitments seem non-committal. Be sure not to employ this phrase as a way to avoid or delay tasks indefinitely; balance it with specific deadlines where appropriate to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "When time permits" functions as an adverbial clause of condition. It modifies the main clause by specifying the condition under which the action in the main clause will occur. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to indicate flexible scheduling and non-urgent commitments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "When time permits" is a grammatically sound phrase functioning as an adverbial clause to indicate conditional intention. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and suitable in written English to state that something will be done given sufficient available time. It’s common across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and business, with a neutral-to-professional register. While useful, be mindful of overuse to avoid seeming non-committal. Consider related phrases like "if time allows" or "as time allows" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

If time allows

Replaces "when" with "if" and "permits" with "allows", creating a conditional statement.

As time allows

Similar to the original phrase, but uses "as" to indicate a concurrent condition.

When I have time

More personal and direct, specifying the speaker's availability.

If I get the chance

Focuses on the opportunity arising rather than the availability of time.

As soon as time allows

Emphasizes the intention to act promptly once time becomes available.

When feasible

Highlights the practicality and possibility of doing something.

If practicable

Similar to "when feasible", emphasizing the practicality.

At my convenience

Shifts the focus to the speaker's personal convenience.

When the opportunity arises

Focuses on the appearance of a suitable opportunity.

As circumstances permit

Broadens the condition to include overall circumstances, not just time.

FAQs

How can I use "When time permits" in a sentence?

You can use "When time permits" to indicate that you will do something if you have enough time available, for example: "I will review the document "when time permits"."

What are some alternatives to saying "When time permits"?

Alternatives include phrases like "if time allows", "as time allows", or "when I have time", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "When time permits" or "When time permitted"?

"When time permits" is present tense and generally used for future actions. "When time permitted" is past tense and refers to actions that were possible in the past. Choose the tense that aligns with the timeframe you are referencing.

What is the difference between ""when time permits"" and "if I have time"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""when time permits"" is slightly more formal. "If I have time" is more casual and direct, specifying the speaker's availability.