an appropriate amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an appropriate amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that a specific activity or task should take a certain duration of time that is neither too short nor too long for the task. For example: "It should take an appropriate amount of time to prepare a meal for a large group of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This is an appropriate amount of time.

The New York Times

After an appropriate amount of time, I thought I ought leave, but Rizzuto said: "You can't leave yet.

The New York Times - Sports

I agree and spend an appropriate amount of time pretending I will buy vegetables, lying both to her and myself.

The Washington Post

After an appropriate amount of foreplay, he slipped on his condom, entered her, and, after an appropriate amount of time, ejaculated.

The New Yorker

In addition to what he knew when, there are also questions about whether Snyder acted in an appropriate amount of time.

The Washington Post

Hence, more enhanced and convincing algorithms are on demand to yield more precise and relevant search results in an appropriate amount of time.

Information Sciences

A league statement said Goodell wanted "to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions affecting the team's roster and salary cap.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Give yourself an appropriate amount of sleep time.

WikiHow

That's a perfectly appropriate amount of time to begin transferring troops out".

The New York Times

"The family is disappointed that John's image is being weaponized this election cycle so soon after his passing, and they had hoped there would be a more appropriate amount of time for people to think about his final message before they began to politicize him," Rick Davis, a friend of the McCain family and a former top adviser to the senator, told Politico in a statement.

Huffington Post

Managers and other professionals now stay in their jobs long enough to see a project through; the appropriate amount of time for any given assignment is defined according to the project and the employee's developmental needs.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an appropriate amount of time", ensure the context provides some indication (either directly or indirectly) of what constitutes 'appropriate' in that situation. This helps avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an appropriate amount of time" without providing any context as to what makes the time 'appropriate'. Be specific, or allude to established or assumed standards, so the reader understands the implied duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an appropriate amount of time" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier to describe the duration needed for an action or process. It indicates that the time allocated is neither too short nor too long but suitable for the given context, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an appropriate amount of time" is a versatile noun phrase indicating a duration that is suitable and necessary for a specific task or event. Grammatically correct and very common in various contexts—particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources—it's deemed correct by Ludwig AI. While highly usable, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to clarify what 'appropriate' entails in a given situation. Alternatives like "a suitable duration" or "sufficient time" can also be used, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suitable duration

Focuses on the length of time being adequate for a specific purpose.

an adequate time frame

Highlights the boundaries within which something should occur.

a reasonable period

Implies fairness and justification for the length of time.

sufficient time

Emphasizes that there is enough time available.

a fitting interval

Suggests the time is well-suited to the situation.

the right timing

Highlights the importance of when something happens, not just how long it takes.

an allotted span

Indicates a specific time assigned or designated.

due course

Implies events will happen at their natural or expected pace.

the necessary timeframe

Highlights that the period is essential for achieving a goal.

a proportionate duration

Emphasizes balance and that the time is scaled appropriately to the task.

FAQs

How can I use "an appropriate amount of time" in a sentence?

Use "an appropriate amount of time" to indicate a duration that is suitable or necessary for a particular task or event. For example, "The cake needs to bake for "an appropriate amount of time" to ensure it is fully cooked."

What's a good alternative to "an appropriate amount of time"?

Alternatives include "a suitable duration", "a reasonable period", or "sufficient time". The best choice depends on the specific context. For example, you could say "Allow "sufficient time" for the glue to dry."

How do I determine what constitutes "an appropriate amount of time"?

What's considered "an appropriate amount of time" depends entirely on the situation. Consider factors like the task's complexity, available resources, and desired outcome. Researching industry standards or consulting with experts can also help.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "an appropriate amount of time"?

While grammatically correct, using "an appropriate amount of time" can be vague if the context doesn't suggest what 'appropriate' means. Without context, the phrase provides little information.