devote much time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devote much time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the allocation of significant time to a particular task or activity. Example: "To master a new language, one must devote much time to practice and immersion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nobody expects Mr. Obama to devote much time to Sudan.

The New York Times

But I personally don't devote much time distinguishing between men and women.

The New York Times

But as deputy president, he cannot devote much time to foreign affairs.

The Economist

Gainsborough was the only important English portrait painter to devote much time to landscape drawing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You can't devote much time to recuperating at a place like this".

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, the networks did not devote much time to covering those.

The New Yorker

About 1935 she began to devote much time to active political work.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

When he coached the Baltimore defensive line, Ryan devoted much time to keeping players interested.

The New York Times - Magazine

Beveridge never again held public office, devoting much time after 1912 to the writing of history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She now devotes much time to tackling laws on child sex abuse.

Independent

In the later years of her career she also devoted much time to portraiture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devote much time", ensure that the object receiving the time is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "devote much time to research" instead of just "devote much time".

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when describing who is doing the devoting. Instead of saying "Much time was devoted to the project", specify "The team devoted much time to the project" to make the sentence more active and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote much time" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to indicate the commitment of a significant amount of time to a particular activity or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devote much time" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the dedication of a substantial amount of time to a specific task, aim, or activity. While it appears in various contexts—from news and media to academic and encyclopedic content—its core function remains consistent: emphasizing the significance of time allocation. When using this phrase, it's advisable to be clear about the focus of that time to avoid any potential misunderstandings, with alternatives like "dedicate considerable time" or "spend a lot of time" available for variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate considerable time

Replaces "devote much" with "dedicate considerable", emphasizing commitment.

spend a lot of time

Uses more common vocabulary; less formal.

allocate significant time

Focuses on the act of allocating or assigning time.

invest a great deal of time

Emphasizes time as an investment.

give a substantial amount of time

Highlights giving or offering time to something.

put in a significant amount of time

Focuses on the effort exerted over time.

commit a large amount of time

Emphasizes commitment and the volume of time.

plow a great deal of time

An idiomatic alternative suggesting intense focus and prolonged effort. Note that context is important, as it might sound somewhat informal in some situations.

set aside ample time

Highlights the act of reserving or setting time aside.

immerse oneself for hours

Suggests deep engagement over a long period. Stronger sense of focus and absorption.

FAQs

How can I use "devote much time" in a sentence?

You can use "devote much time" to describe dedicating a significant amount of time to an activity or task. For example, "She had to "devote much time" to studying for the exam".

What can I say instead of "devote much time"?

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

Is it better to say "devote much time" or "spend much time"?

Both ""devote much time"" and "spend much time" are correct, but "devote" implies a sense of dedication or purpose, while "spend" is more general. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "devote much time" and "invest much time"?

"Devote much time" suggests dedicating effort, while "invest much time" implies an expectation of future returns or benefits. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize dedication or the potential for gain.