afford time

USAGE SUMMARY

"afford time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you would like to explain that a certain activity or task requires a certain amount of time. For example: "Not all of us can afford the time to take a month off and go travelling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Parents miss teacher conferences because they can't afford time off.

The New York Times

We can't even afford time to send full details by wireless.

The New Yorker

The majority of working parents cannot afford time whatever their need.

The Guardian

IF may be free, but students will need a reasonable income to afford time for studying (with no bursaries available).

The Guardian

Results indicated the detrimental influence of the rapid afforestation of previous agricultural land, which did not afford time for the development of better adapted soil animal communities.

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

"My feeling is that those of us who can afford gym memberships and afford time to work out are fortunate and we have an obligation to give back".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

We cannot afford time-consuming indulgences like pessimism or cynical naysaying.

The Guardian

I must admit I accepted the invitation reluctantly: parties are notorious time-consumers at the festival and few journalists can afford (time-wise) to go.

Huffington Post

Both suffix arrays and suffix trees afford time-efficient solutions to problems of searching for substrings in a text as well as a variety of other related problems.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

Given the electrophilic properties of epoxides, an enzyme-generated epoxide in the active site might rapidly react with an enzymic nucleophile and afford time-dependent enzyme inactivation during turnover.

Biochemistry

It unfolds slowly, affording time for contemplation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "afford time", consider the context and whether a more specific verb like "allocate", "dedicate", or "spare" might be more appropriate to convey the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "afford time" when the issue is not about the availability of time, but rather about the prioritization or willingness to dedicate time to something. Instead, consider clarifying the reason for not engaging in the activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afford time" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability or opportunity to dedicate time to a specific activity or purpose. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it's often used when discussing limitations or constraints on one's schedule.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

7.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Wiki

2.5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "afford time" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the ability to dedicate time to something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show it used across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, consider if a more specific synonym like "allocate", "dedicate", or "spare" might be more suitable. Also, ensure that the issue is truly about time availability and not prioritization. Overall, "afford time" is a useful phrase when discussing scheduling limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Allocate time

Focuses on deliberately assigning time for a specific purpose.

Set aside time

Emphasizes reserving time from other activities.

Make time

Highlights the effort required to find or create time.

Spare the time

Suggests time is a limited resource being shared.

Have enough time

States simply that sufficient time is available.

Find time

Focuses on the act of discovering available time.

Manage time

Focuses on the efficient allocation of time to activities.

Devote time

Emphasizes dedicating time to a specific cause or activity.

Dedicate time

Stresses a formal commitment of time to a purpose.

Have the time

A more general statement of possessing available time.

FAQs

How can I use "afford time" in a sentence?

You can use "afford time" to express whether someone has enough time to do something, such as, "I can't "afford time" for a vacation right now."

What is a good substitute for "afford time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "allocate time", "set aside time", or "make time" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "can afford time" or "is able to afford time"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "can "afford time"" is more concise and commonly used.

What's the difference between "afford time" and "find time"?

"Afford time" implies having the resources or flexibility in one's schedule, whereas "find time" suggests making an effort to squeeze something into an already busy schedule.