a big time commitment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a big time commitment' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to express the idea of something that requires a lot of time and effort. For example, "Volunteering with the charity requires a big time commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Unlike a primary,a caucus is a big time commitment.

The New York Times - Books

"It's not just the legal fees involved; it's also very disruptive and a big time commitment".

The New York Times

Now games last three hours, and since many are at night, it's a big time commitment.

The New York Times

Many Americans did not grow up with the game, few know who the players are and watching 10 weeks of playoffs is a big time commitment.

The New York Times

Mentoring needn't be a big time commitment for either party – just three sessions can be enough to devise a simple, tailored strategy then follow it up: a lifeline from the domestic wilderness.

The Guardian

"Writing good books is a big time commitment, as much for many writers in the survey as a part-time job, and income gives writers something to show their family and friends for all of their effort and hard work.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"It's a bigger time commitment to stay active".

The New York Times

For example, peeling and eating an orange will cost you approximately 80 calories and is a bigger time commitment, whereas downing a glass of orange juice will cost you many more calories within a few seconds.

Huffington Post

"I was worried about other things and it's a big-time commitment.

The New York Times

It was two and a half hours, three Saturday afternoons in a row - a big-time commitment.

The Guardian

I've played so long, and going back to a college environment is a different ballgame because it's not about playing but about evaluating and recruiting, a big-time commitment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or activities, quantify the time commitment. Instead of saying "It's a big time commitment", specify "It's a big time commitment, requiring at least 20 hours per week."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the time commitment to discourage participation. Provide realistic estimates and break down the tasks to make it seem less daunting. Instead of saying "It's a huge time commitment", try "It requires a significant time commitment, but the tasks are flexible and can be completed at your own pace."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big time commitment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes the extent of time needed for a certain activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big time commitment" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe an activity that requires a significant amount of time and effort. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, as well as scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, consider quantifying the time involved for greater clarity. Alternatives such as "a significant time investment" or "a substantial time obligation" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, emphasizing different aspects of the time required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant time investment

Replaces "commitment" with "investment", suggesting a dedication of time with an expected return.

a substantial time obligation

Substitutes "commitment" with "obligation", emphasizing a mandatory or required time allocation.

a considerable time expenditure

Replaces "commitment" with "expenditure", focusing on the use or consumption of time.

a lengthy time dedication

Changes "big" to "lengthy" and "commitment" to "dedication", highlighting the extended period of time involved.

a major time undertaking

Replaces "commitment" with "undertaking", emphasizing the scale and effort of the task.

an extensive time involvement

Substitutes "commitment" with "involvement", focusing on the degree of participation and engagement.

a rigorous time demand

Replaces "big" with "rigorous" and "commitment" with "demand", highlighting the strict requirements on time.

a protracted time engagement

Changes "big" to "protracted" and "commitment" to "engagement", focusing on the prolonged duration of the activity.

a serious time allocation

Replaces "big" with "serious" and "commitment" with "allocation", emphasizing the importance and planning involved.

a huge time sacrifice

Replaces "commitment" with "sacrifice", highlighting the cost of allocating that time and effort.

FAQs

What does "a big time commitment" mean?

It refers to an activity or task that requires a significant amount of time and effort from an individual.

How can I phrase "a big time commitment" differently?

You can use alternatives like "a significant time investment", "a substantial time obligation", or "a considerable time expenditure" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a big time commitment" or "a large time commitment"?

Both are grammatically correct and understandable. "Big" is slightly more informal, while "large" might sound a bit more formal, but the difference is minimal. Other alternatives include "a substantial time commitment" or "a significant time commitment".

How to use "a big time commitment" in a sentence?

For example: "Volunteering for this project is "a big time commitment", but the rewards are worth it." or "Taking care of a newborn baby is "a big time commitment"."