a surplus of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surplus of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to describe a situation where an individual or group has more time than they need to complete a certain task or project. For example, "Thanks to our early start, we have a surplus of time to finish the project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Greene is described as "bored and lonely with a surplus of time".

The New York Times

Left to her own devices and given a surplus of time, Rihanna does not constrict herself or draw clean lines.

The New Yorker

One industrious individual in Australia with a surplus of time has managed to put OS X an old 25MHz Centris 650.

TechCrunch

One diligent gamer with a surplus of time on his hands has modded a Wii controller to work on an Xbox 360.

TechCrunch

FOnnder, the Huflipgton PosideFoneder and can, Thrivenjoybal.

Huffington Post

I've written the magazine before to no avail, and will likely continue to until the government-sanctioned murder of my corporeal being (and maybe my "soul" too, guess we'll see ϑ), as I've got a surplus of time on my hands and a catastrophic dearth of intelligence, hilarity, and awesomeness.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These companies share a characteristic, and it is not customers with large disposable incomes, a surplus of free time or an interest in self-improvement.

The New York Times

Relative wealth and a surplus of free time that comes with youth unemployment topping 40%, have turned Saudis into some of the most intensive users of social media on the planet.

The Economist

Geared toward those on the brink of retirement Cameron's peers this book repurposes the ideas introduced in "The Artist's Way" for readers in late middle age, many of whom have just begun retirement and find themselves with a surplus of free time.

The New Yorker

The regular morning drinkers are men who have reached retirement age and been met by minimal disposable income and a surplus of free time.

Vice

It's easy to see how if you lived here – especially in your early twenties, playing with both a surplus of spare time and occasional influxes in income – this area would quickly start to feel like the centre of the universe.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a surplus of time" to positively frame situations where project timelines can be extended or additional tasks can be accommodated. This can signal preparedness and flexibility.

Common error

Avoid equating "a surplus of time" with guaranteed productivity. Recognize that while time availability is a factor, effective time management and focus are also crucial for translating extra time into tangible results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surplus of time" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing the availability of extra time for activities or tasks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a surplus of time" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, denoting an abundance of time available. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this noun phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. It is considered to be of neutral register and commonly used. The phrase suggests an opportunity, but it's crucial to remember that effective time management is also required to benefit from this time. Related phrases like "ample time available" or "plenty of time" offer similar meanings, allowing writers to tailor their language to specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ample time available

Focuses on the abundance of time, suggesting more than enough is present.

plenty of time

Emphasizes the sufficiency of time for completing a task.

excess of time

Highlights the overabundance of time, potentially implying it's more than necessary.

a wealth of time

Suggests having a rich and abundant supply of time.

time to spare

Indicates having extra time beyond what is immediately required.

abundant free time

Specifically emphasizes free time that is plentiful.

untapped time reserves

Implies a store of time that is not currently being used.

unallocated time

Suggests time that hasn't been assigned to any specific activity.

extra time on hand

Indicates readily available additional time.

more time than needed

Directly states having excess time relative to requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "a surplus of time" to describe having more time than is needed for a task. For instance, "Having finished the report early, I now have a surplus of time to prepare for the presentation."

What are some alternatives to saying "a surplus of time"?

Alternatives include "ample time available", "plenty of time", or "excess of time", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a surplus of time"?

Yes, "a surplus of time" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "a surplus of time" and "a lack of time"?

"A surplus of time" indicates having more time than necessary, while "a lack of time" implies not having enough time to complete something. They are opposite concepts.