acquire time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is trying to gain or create more time for a task or activity, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "In order to complete the project successfully, we need to acquire time by delegating some of our responsibilities."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In these letters, the banks promised not to finance any third-party attempt to acquire Time.

Harvard University

Subsequently, it was established that Paramount's board had decided as early as March 1989 to move to acquire Time.

Harvard University

The proposed protocol uses NTP to acquire time information.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

To acquire time traces of isolated molecules as shown in Fig. 3, coverslips were rinsed with deionized water for 5 min and cleaned in a low pressure plasma system (Femto-RF, Diener Electronic, Nagold, Germany).

Biophysical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Further images were analyzed of Ruapehu, Poás, Kawah Ijen, and Copahué volcanoes to acquire time-series of lake temperatures.

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

In fact, an enticing virtue of SERS is the ability to acquire time-resolved spectra; with the advent of charge-coupled device (CCD) technology, real-time sequences even in the subsecond time regime are now becoming straightforward.

Chemical Engineering Science

Briefly, a Zeiss 510 META/NLO laser scanning microscope modified for time-correlated single-photon counting [12] was used to acquire time-resolved anisotropy decay measurements.

Plosone

To examine tangential movements of preplate neurons (Tomioka et al. 2000), we prepared coronal slices of E12.5 Tg(Lrp12/Mig13a-Egfp Lrp12/Mig13a-Egfpand used mousephoton microscopy to acquire time-lapse images oforebrainLrp12/Mig13andositive preplate cells.

Cerebral Cortex

The acquired time series of the sensors are provided.

Data in Brief

We used vbFRET software23 to determine the number of states and the transition rates of the acquired time traces in HJ dynamics.

Nature

Meredith Corp. acquired Time on Jan . 31as part of its $2.8 billion purchase of Time Inc.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using more common alternatives like "gain time" or "create time" instead of "acquire time".

Common error

Avoid using "acquire time" excessively in professional or academic contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound unnatural. Opt for alternatives like "gain time" or "find time" for a smoother flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire time" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "acquire" is the verb and "time" is the noun object. It signifies the act of gaining or obtaining time, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire time" is grammatically acceptable, though Ludwig AI suggests it's not the most common or natural way to express the idea of gaining or obtaining time. While technically correct, alternatives such as "gain time" or "create time" often provide greater clarity and are more frequently used. The phrase appears in a mix of academic, scientific, and news-related contexts, indicating a fairly neutral register. When writing, consider whether a more common alternative might better suit your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain time

This alternative is a more common and direct way to express the idea of obtaining more time.

create time

This alternative emphasizes the action of making time available, rather than simply obtaining it.

find time

This alternative suggests discovering or locating time within an existing schedule.

free up time

This alternative implies making time available by removing other commitments.

make room in schedule

This alternative highlights adjusting a schedule to accommodate something.

carve out time

This alternative suggests dedicating effort to create time in a busy schedule.

secure time

This alternative means to obtain time, often through effort or negotiation.

set aside time

This alternative emphasizes the deliberate act of reserving time for a specific purpose.

allocate time

This alternative suggests distributing time among different tasks or activities.

generate time

This alternative indicates producing time as a result of actions or processes.

FAQs

What does "acquire time" mean?

"Acquire time" means to gain or obtain time, often by making adjustments to a schedule or routine. It is, however, less common than alternatives like "gain time" or "create time".

Is "acquire time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "acquire time" is grammatically correct, but it's not as frequently used as other phrases with similar meanings. Ludwig AI marks it as acceptable but suggests considering alternative wording for better clarity.

What can I say instead of "acquire time"?

You can use alternatives like "gain time", "create time", or "find time" depending on the specific context. The best choice will depend on whether you are actively making time, or simply finding it.

In what situations is "acquire time" most appropriate?

"Acquire time" may be suitable in contexts where the process of obtaining time involves a deliberate effort or strategy. However, even in such situations, alternatives like "secure time" might offer more clarity.