average time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "average time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the usual or expected time that something takes. For example, "The average time it takes to complete the exam is two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The average time is 13 minutes.

The New York Times

The average time was 57 days.

The New York Times

The average time to graduation is five years.

Princeton University

The average time to crime is six years.

The New York Times

The average time spent on the site is 40 minutes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The average time from exposure to illness is 30 days.

The New York Times - Health

What's the average time when they start to read?

The Guardian - Books

What's the average time it takes to exit the maze?

The New Yorker

The average time on market was 175 days.

The New York Times

Both groups spent the same average time per arm.

Physiology & Behavior

The average time for recurrence was 105 months (8.75 years).

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "average time", ensure you specify the activity or event the time refers to for clarity. For instance, "The average time to complete the survey is 25 minutes."

Common error

Avoid using "average time" without specifying what is being timed. Saying simply "The average time is 10 minutes" leaves the reader wondering what activity this refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "average time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a typical duration or a central tendency of a set of time measurements, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "average time" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the typical duration of an event or activity. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely used across various domains, including science, news media, and academia. While it maintains a neutral register, ensure to provide sufficient context regarding the event being timed to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "mean duration" or "typical duration" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. When writing with "average time", it's helpful to remember that it provides a point of reference, helpful for comparisons, scheduling, or estimations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mean duration

Focuses specifically on the length of time, using the statistical term 'mean'.

typical duration

Emphasizes that the time frame is what's most commonly observed or expected.

usual timeframe

Highlights the customary or expected period within which something occurs.

median time

Uses the median (midpoint) instead of the average, useful when data may have outliers.

standard time

Refers to an established or accepted amount of time for a task or process.

expected time

Highlights the anticipated or predicted duration.

customary period

Emphasizes the habitual or traditional duration.

average length

Focuses on the physical or temporal extent.

normal duration

Suggests a duration that is neither too short nor too long.

approximate time

Indicates an estimated or near duration.

FAQs

How do I use "average time" in a sentence?

You can use "average time" to describe the typical duration of an event or activity. For example, "The "average time" spent on the website is 40 minutes" or "The "average time" to complete the task is 2 hours".

What's a good alternative to "average time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "typical duration", "mean duration", or "usual timeframe". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "average time" or "mean time"?

Both "average time" and "mean time" are acceptable. "Average time" is more common in general usage, while "mean time" is more frequently used in statistical or scientific contexts. Both refer to the sum of durations divided by the number of durations.

What factors can affect the "average time" of a process?

Many factors can influence the "average time", including the complexity of the task, the skill level of the individuals involved, available resources, and external conditions. Accurate measurement and context are crucial for interpreting "average time" values.