allocate time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allocate time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the distribution or assignment of time for specific tasks or activities. Example: "In order to meet the project deadline, we need to allocate time for each phase of development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The UK 2005 Time-Use Survey asked participants to allocate time to one of 30 pre-defined activities.

Appetite

You've got to allocate time for work and time for living and stick to it".

The Guardian

"If people visited at the weekend they'd have to allocate time for me to perform.

Independent

She wanted national television and radio to allocate time to women to educate the population about women's rights.

The New York Times

"I told her that I was going to allocate time to do what I had wanted to do.

The Guardian

Allocate time each week to your finances, as knowing exactly what's coming in, going out and what's coming up will allow you to sleep at night".

The Guardian

Decisions must be made by women about how to allocate time to earn money to feed the family, tend the fields or nurse a new baby.

The New York Times

Professor Light even suggests keeping a time log for a few weeks and showing it to an adviser, who can help figure out the best way to allocate time.

The New York Times

"We're going out of our heads trying to work out all the various possibilities, so we can allocate time and money accordingly," said one of the strategists in the Gore camp.

The New York Times

"I can get a lot more achieved than I ever could before, because I just organise my time, planning my days and I allocate time to certain things," she says.

The Guardian

We've all heard of the content dilemmas that those 140 characters can bestow, but if you run a business you need to have a Twitter account and to allocate time to it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning projects, break down tasks and "allocate time" for each, considering dependencies and potential delays to ensure realistic scheduling.

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of underestimating task durations; "allocate time" generously, factoring in unexpected interruptions or complexities that might arise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allocate time" functions as a verb phrase, where "allocate" is the verb and "time" is the noun acting as the direct object. It is used to describe the action of assigning or designating time for a specific purpose or activity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "allocate time" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of assigning or designating time for specific activities. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is frequently used in news, scientific, and business contexts. Effective use of "allocate time" is crucial for project management, personal organization, and achieving goals. Consider using synonyms like "set aside time" or ""dedicate time"" for variety, and always ensure you account for potential delays when planning your schedule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside time

Emphasizes reserving time from a larger pool for a particular purpose.

dedicate time

Highlights committing time to a specific task or activity with a sense of importance.

schedule time

Focuses on planning and arranging time within a structured timetable.

assign time

Stresses the act of allotting time, often by an external authority or plan.

earmark time

Implies designating time for a specific use, similar to setting aside.

reserve time

Similar to 'set aside,' but can imply a more formal or explicit reservation.

allot time

Suggests distributing time among different tasks or individuals.

designate time

Highlights choosing and marking time for a particular activity.

apportion time

Implies dividing and distributing time proportionally.

budget time

Focuses on managing time as a resource, similar to managing money.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "allocate time" in a sentence?

Use "allocate time" to describe the act of designating specific periods for tasks, such as "We need to "dedicate time" for research and development."

What are some alternatives to "allocate time"?

You can use alternatives like "set aside time", "schedule time", or ""dedicate time"" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "allocate time" or "invest time"?

While both are valid, "allocate time" typically refers to planning and distributing time, whereas "invest time" suggests putting time into something with the expectation of a return or benefit.

How does "allocate time" differ from "spend time"?

"Allocate time" is about planning and assigning time before an activity, while "spend time" refers to the actual act of using time for something. You might "allocate time" for a meeting, and then "spend time" in the meeting.