a designated time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a designated time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time that has been assigned or set aside for a particular purpose or event. Example: "The meeting will take place at a designated time, which will be communicated to all participants in advance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They call him once a week at a designated time.

The New York Times

Instead of waiting, you show up at a designated time.

The New York Times - Magazine

All we had to do was meet up with them at a designated time and spot.

The New York Times - Magazine

But unlike a fixed mortgage, the interest rate on an adjustable mortgage is not constant, but can go up at a designated time if other interest rates do.

The New York Times

I often begin writing by freewriting, a technique in which you give yourself a designated time limit – perhaps five or 10 minutes – and write without stopping.

The Guardian

You log on to the service before 9.30am, pick one of the options available near your office, and pop out to collect it at a designated time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Australia Post wants to charge customers extra to deliver letters within a designated time – for example the next day – while regular mail could take longer.

The Guardian - Business

Traditional systems, many of which also use ankle bracelets but without G.P.S., can only confirm whether a person is at a designated place at a designated time.

The New York Times - Tech

The name refers to the euphemistic requirement that suspects must present themselves for interrogation at a designated time and place (in practice they are usually seized).

The Economist

Early morning calls urged people to display black candles decked in green ribbons, and suggested motorists turn on their headlights at a designated time in protest.

Independent

Those attending can also store the content and view it later, he said, although participation in live sessions requires tuning in at a designated time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a designated time", ensure that the context clearly indicates who designated the time and for what purpose. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a designated time" without specifying the event or purpose it relates to. Saying "meet me at a designated time" is vague; instead, specify "meet me at a designated time for the interview".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a designated time" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "time". It specifies that the time in question has been predetermined or assigned for a specific purpose. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a designated time" serves to indicate a pre-arranged or assigned moment, fitting the role of an adjectival phrase. Ludwig's analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used across different sources, including News & Media and Scientific publications. While the register is considered neutral, context remains important to ensure clarity. Remember, specifying who designated the time and for what reason will help eliminate ambiguity and improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scheduled time

Emphasizes the act of scheduling the time in advance.

a specified time

Highlights that the time has been explicitly stated or defined.

a set time

A simpler, more direct way of saying the time has been established.

a prearranged time

Highlights that arrangements were made beforehand to set the time.

an appointed time

Implies a more formal or official allocation of time.

a fixed time

Suggests that the time cannot be changed or altered.

an agreed-upon time

Highlights the collaborative aspect of choosing the time.

a chosen time

Emphasizes the act of selecting the time from available options.

a predetermined time

Focuses on the time being decided in advance of the event.

a reserved time

Implies that the time has been specifically held for a purpose.

FAQs

How to use "a designated time" in a sentence?

You can use "a designated time" to refer to a pre-arranged moment. For instance, "The meeting will begin at "a designated time"". This implies a specific, previously agreed-upon moment.

What can I say instead of "a designated time"?

Alternatives to "a designated time" include "a scheduled time", "a specified time", or "an appointed time", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a designated time" or "the designated time"?

"A designated time" refers to any specific time that has been assigned, while "the designated time" refers to a particular assigned time already known or mentioned in the conversation. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "a designated time" and "a specific time"?

"A designated time" implies that the time was assigned or agreed upon for a particular purpose. "A specific time" simply indicates a particular moment without necessarily implying prior arrangement. The sentence "The experiment was conducted at "a specific time"" would work if this was the case, but the meaning is slightly altered.