devote a lot of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devote a lot of time" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to dedicate a significant amount of time to something or someone. Example: In order to succeed in her career, Sarah devoted a lot of time to studying and improving her skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"We're not going to devote a lot of time to this".

The New York Times

We devote a lot of time and effort toward making the game better as we go.

The Guardian - Tech

Top players occasionally create studies, but they usually do not devote a lot of time to them.

The New York Times

Or you might expect a Mexican negotiator to communicate expressively and devote a lot of time to rapport-building.

Harvard University

Writers can devote a lot of time to grief because they are working, this is what they do.

The Guardian - Books

But it's something we devote a lot of time and energy to because it saves considerable money".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Since then ASEAN has devoted a lot of time to discussing "HADR" (humanitarian and disaster relief).

The Economist

He devoted a lot of time to developing ideas that, in hindsight, seem daft.

The New York Times - Books

Onge devotes a lot of time to analyzing what he does.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Scott lived in the dorm and devoted a lot of time to his own wardrobe.

The New York Times

Rogers devoted a lot of time to the Middle East with fair success & managed the Dept.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of time allocation, pair "devote a lot of time" with specific outcomes or goals. For instance, "devote a lot of time" to research to improve treatment plans.

Common error

Avoid using "devote a lot of time" without specifying what the time is being devoted to. For example, instead of saying, "I devote a lot of time", specify, "I "devote a lot of time" to volunteering at the local shelter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote a lot of time" functions as a verb phrase that typically modifies another verb. It indicates the action of dedicating a significant amount of time to a particular activity or purpose. As seen in Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to describe how individuals or organizations allocate their time and effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devote a lot of time" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a significant commitment of time to a particular activity or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "dedicate significant time" or "spend considerable time" exist, "devote a lot of time" effectively conveys dedication and importance. Remember to provide context when using this phrase, specifying what the time is being devoted to for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate significant time

Replaces "devote" with "dedicate" and "a lot of" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the time given.

spend considerable time

Uses "spend" instead of "devote", focusing on the act of using time rather than dedicating it.

invest a lot of time

Emphasizes the idea of time as an investment, suggesting a return or benefit from the time spent.

allocate substantial time

Highlights the planned distribution of time, implying a deliberate allocation.

commit a large amount of time

Replaces "devote" with "commit" and "a lot of" with "a large amount of", stressing the level of commitment.

put a lot of time into

An informal way of saying "devote a lot of time", emphasizing the effort involved.

give a lot of time to

Focuses on the act of giving time, highlighting the generosity or willingness to spend time.

dedicate ample time

Suggests dedicating a generous amount of time.

allot considerable time

Emphasizes the assignment of time, suggesting a formal allocation.

plow a lot of time into

Informal expression suggesting investing a lot of time and effort.

FAQs

What does it mean to "devote a lot of time" to something?

To "devote a lot of time" to something means to dedicate a significant portion of your time and energy to a particular activity, project, or person, often implying a strong commitment or interest.

How can I use "devote a lot of time" in a sentence?

You can use "devote a lot of time" to describe how you spend your time. For example, "She "spends considerable time" reading every day", or "They "devote a lot of time" to volunteering in their community".

What are some alternatives to "devote a lot of time"?

You can use alternatives like "dedicate significant time", "spend considerable time", or "invest a lot of time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "devote a lot of time" or "dedicate a lot of time"?

Both "devote a lot of time" and "dedicate a lot of time" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Dedicate" often implies a more formal or solemn commitment, while "devote" can be used in a broader range of contexts. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.