designate time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designate time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of assigning or specifying a particular time for an event or task. Example: "Please designate time for the meeting so that everyone can prepare accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plates arrived piping hot at the designated time.

The New York Times - Travel

(Never fear: no stocks traded until the designated time).

The New York Times

They call him once a week at a designated time.

The New York Times

Instead of waiting, you show up at a designated time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tom Coughlin rules that Giants players are late even though they arrive before the designated time.

The New York Times

All we had to do was meet up with them at a designated time and spot.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cars can be opened at the designated time with member swipe cards.

The New York Times

They arrive en masse at the designated time—June 16th at 4pm that they had previously agreed online.

The Economist

Soon after the designated time, an election official began laboriously reading results, but only of six parliamentary races.

The New York Times

Therefore, a specialized optimization solver has to be used within designated time.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Moreover, the vehicle's designated time slot is rarely affected by the size of SI.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning a meeting or project, it's important to explicitly "designate time" for each task to ensure adequate focus and prevent delays.

Common error

Avoid leaving time allocation ambiguous. Instead of broadly planning to "designate time" later, specify the exact duration and timeframe to minimize procrastination and ensure tasks are completed efficiently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designate time" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of assigning or allocating a specific period. While grammatically correct, Ludwig shows it is not as common as its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "designate time" is grammatically sound but infrequently used, as indicated by Ludwig. While it correctly conveys the action of allocating or assigning a period, alternatives like "set aside time" or "allocate time" are generally preferred for their greater frequency and naturalness. It's best employed in neutral to formal settings when emphasizing the act of specifying a timeframe. Though technically correct, be mindful of its uncommon usage and consider more familiar alternatives. Best practice suggests being explicit about the time to be assigned to mitigate vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside time

Replaces "designate" with "set aside", emphasizing allocation of time.

allocate time

"Allocate" is a more formal synonym for "designate", implying a deliberate distribution of time.

schedule time

Focuses on the planning aspect of assigning a time.

assign time

Directly indicates the act of giving or allotting a time for a specific purpose.

fix a time

Implies establishing a time definitively.

determine a time

Highlights the process of finding out or deciding on a suitable time.

specify a time

"Specify" emphasizes making the time clear and exact.

nominate a time

Suggests proposing a time for consideration.

appoint a time

Similar to nominate, but often implies a more official or formal selection of a time.

establish a timeframe

Shifts the focus to defining a period rather than a specific point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "designate time" in a sentence?

While the phrase "designate time" is grammatically correct, consider using alternatives like "allocate time", "schedule time", or "set aside time" for smoother phrasing.

What's a more common way to say "designate time"?

Phrases such as "set time" or "allocate time" are generally more frequently used and might sound more natural in everyday conversation or writing.

Is it better to say "designate time" or "designated time"?

"Designated time" is more common when referring to a specific, already assigned time slot. "Designate time" refers to the act of assigning that time.

What's the difference between "designate time" and "devote time"?

"Designate time" refers to allocating a specific period for a task, while "devote time" implies dedicating effort and attention during that period.