dedicate their time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dedicate their time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of committing time and effort to a particular task, project, or cause. Example: "Many volunteers dedicate their time to helping those in need within the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Numerous students dedicate their time for great causes at my own university, Lancaster.

The Guardian

"Telefonica and Spain have to dedicate their time to being European players".

The New York Times

When people dedicate their time and service to civil society it's appropriate they can be honoured".

The Guardian

Also, school and college students should stay away from this issue and dedicate their time to education.

The Guardian

Every year, many loyal volunteers dedicate their time to helping find the next class of inspirational leaders at UC Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley

Every year, many loyal volunteers dedicate their time to helping us find the most inspirational future leaders of UC Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley

They have semesters and semesters to dedicate their time and energy to pursuing the ideas, building friendships and forms of community as well as growing into their values.

Princeton University

Every year, many loyal volunteers dedicate their time to helping us find the next class of inspirational leaders at UC Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley

When families fall on hard times, girls are often the first ones to be pulled from school to dedicate their time to wage-earning activities.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Weidensaul says he hopes the saw-whets pass on a lesson of their own to the many volunteers, some of whom are as young as 11, that dedicate their time to the Ned Smith Center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A whopping 26 clubs and organizations dedicated their time and efforts to the student community.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dedicate their time" to emphasize the selfless commitment of time to a cause or activity, such as volunteering or contributing to a project. For example, "Many students dedicate their time to volunteering in local hospitals."

Common error

Avoid using "dedicate their time" when a less committed phrase like "spend their time" is more appropriate. "Dedicate" implies a strong commitment, so ensure the context reflects that level of involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dedicate their time" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of committing one's time and effort towards a specific purpose or cause. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dedicate their time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong commitment to a particular purpose or activity. As noted by Ludwig, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, including academic, scientific, news and business environments. The phrase implies a deliberate and meaningful allocation of time, distinguishing it from more general expressions like "spend their time". When using "dedicate their time", it's essential to ensure the context warrants the intensity of commitment the phrase suggests. Ludwig's analysis highlights the importance of choosing the right words to convey the intended meaning and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devote their time

Emphasis on allocating time to a specific purpose with strong commitment.

commit their time

Focuses on making a firm decision to allocate time to something.

allocate their time

Suggests a more structured and planned distribution of time.

invest their time

Implies that time is used in a way that is expected to yield a return or benefit.

spend their time

General term for using time in a particular way.

offer their time

Highlights the voluntary nature of giving time.

lend their time

Suggests a temporary allocation of time for assistance.

give their time

Simple and direct way of expressing the act of providing time.

volunteer their time

Specifically indicates unpaid work or service.

plow their time

Emphasis on the energy spent in the time given to a specific purpose.

FAQs

What does "dedicate their time" mean?

The phrase "dedicate their time" means to commit time and effort to a particular task, cause, or activity. It suggests a strong sense of purpose and commitment.

What can I say instead of "dedicate their time"?

You can use alternatives like "devote their time", "commit their time", or "allocate their time" depending on the context.

How do you use "dedicate their time" in a sentence?

You can use "dedicate their time" in a sentence by specifying the activity or cause they are committing to. For example, "Volunteers dedicate their time to helping the homeless."

What is the difference between "dedicate their time" and "spend their time"?

"Dedicate their time" implies a strong commitment and sense of purpose, while "spend their time" is a more general term for using time in a particular way. Dedicating suggests a more deliberate and meaningful allocation of time.