carve out time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carve out time" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to setting aside time in order to do something specific. For example, "I need to carve out some time in my schedule to finish this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, carve out time during a monthly meeting.

Harvard Business Review

Successful leaders carve out time for daily exercise because they have no choice.

Forbes

As her own boss, she can meet with clients yet still carve out time for family and friends.

BBC

Even if you work nine-to-five, carve out time to do what's important to you.

Huffington Post

They carve out time for choreography, seeing as the NFL before the 2017 season lifted the ban on group celebrations.

Los Angeles Times

"If I carve out time to [meditate], that's the space for my practice to go," says Ngo.

HuffPost

The two were able to carve out time during their busy tour schedule last fall to begin the writing process.

Los Angeles Times

Bosses would help fathers carve out time to go to school plays or attend parent-teacher conferences.

Huffington Post

I have to carve out time on the weekend.

The New York Times

Merchants must carve out time to respond to each dispute.

The New York Times

Setting a routine to carve out time is important initially.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carve out time", be specific about what activity or purpose the time is being allocated for. This adds clarity and emphasizes the importance of the commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "carve out time" without stating what the time is for. For example, instead of saying "I need to carve out time", specify "I need to "carve out time" for exercise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carve out time" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of intentionally setting aside time for a specific purpose or activity. As Ludwig AI shows, this often implies making a conscious effort to allocate time from a busy schedule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "carve out time" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of intentionally allocating time for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, it often implies effort and prioritization. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, business, and science, with a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the activity for which time is being carved out to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "set aside time", "make time", and "dedicate time", each carrying subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Set aside time

Focuses on the act of reserving time, similar to "carve out time".

Allocate time

Emphasizes a more formal or structured assignment of time.

Make time

Highlights the effort required to find or create time in a busy schedule.

Dedicate time

Suggests a commitment to spending time on a particular activity.

Find time

Implies discovering or locating available time.

Free up time

Indicates creating time by removing other obligations.

Reserve time

Similar to 'set aside', but can imply a more official reservation.

Schedule time

Suggests a formal planning approach to allocating time.

Designate time

Emphasizes the act of specifying time for a purpose.

Liberate time

Suggests freeing time from constraints or other commitments.

FAQs

How can I use "carve out time" in a sentence?

You can use "carve out time" to describe setting aside specific periods for activities. For instance, "I need to "carve out time" each day to work on my novel" or "Leaders should "carve out time" for family just as they would for business appointments".

What are some alternatives to "carve out time"?

Alternatives include "set aside time", "make time", or "dedicate time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "carve out time" or "make time"?

"Carve out time" and "make time" are often interchangeable, but "carve out time" suggests a more deliberate and perhaps difficult effort to extract time from a busy schedule, while "make time" simply means to find or create time.

What does it mean to "carve out time" for something?

To "carve out time" for something means to intentionally create or extract time from your schedule, often implying that it requires effort or sacrifice of other activities to make that time available.