devote their time

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These birds devote their time to gathering acorns and other food for the young.

The New York Times - Science

Many people protest that they would rather devote their time to real work than to schmoozing.

The Economist

He is a controversial player among those who devote their time to analyzing basketball statistics.

The New York Times

In addition, some of his Industrial Arts students will devote their time to other projects.

The New York Times

More mechanically-minded inventors tend to devote their time to making the sock perform double duty.

The New York Times

Colonel Liu is one of innumerable high-ranking army officers who devote their time to business.

The New York Times

"It is unimaginable that the people should remain continually assembled to devote their time to public affairs".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reforms such as the Sarbanes-Oxley act forced executives to devote their time to improving internal controls and corporate governance.

The Economist

They receive royalties from our licensing and enforcement efforts and they can devote their time to inventing".

The New York Times

"She thinks all politicians are mad because they devote their time to everyone else and rarely their own families".

The Guardian

They devote their time to carefully studying their advertisers' products or services and coming up with ways to build sales.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devote their time", consider the level of commitment you want to convey. For a stronger emphasis on dedication, "dedicate their time" might be more suitable. If a neutral sense of using time is needed, "spend their time" is preferable.

Common error

While "devote their time" is correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "spend their time" or "give their time" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote their time" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically indicating how individuals allocate or dedicate their time to a specific activity, cause, or purpose. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devote their time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the allocation of time to a specific activity or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it is most common in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. For informal communication, simpler alternatives like "spend their time" may be more appropriate. The choice between "devote their time" and alternatives like "dedicate their time" often depends on the desired emphasis and level of commitment being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate their time

Implies a strong sense of commitment and purpose; emphasizes the selfless nature of the time given.

commit their time

Similar to "dedicate", but can also imply an obligation or agreement to allocate time.

give their time

Emphasizes the act of offering or donating time, often for charitable purposes.

spend their time

A more general term, simply indicating how time is used without necessarily implying a strong commitment.

apply their time

Focuses on the directed use of time towards a specific task or goal.

invest their time

Suggests that time is being used strategically, with the expectation of a return or benefit.

set aside their time

Suggests a deliberate act of reserving time for a particular purpose.

allocate their time

A more formal term, suggesting a planned or structured distribution of time.

employ their time

A more formal way of saying "use their time", often in a professional context.

allot their time

Similar to "allocate", but can imply a more limited or fixed amount of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "devote their time" to describe how people allocate their time to a particular activity or cause, for example: "Many volunteers "devote their time" to helping those in need."

What are some alternatives to "devote their time"?

Some alternatives include "dedicate their time", "spend their time", "invest their time", or "commit their time", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "devote their time" or "dedicate their time"?

Both phrases are correct, but "dedicate their time" often implies a deeper level of commitment and a stronger sense of purpose than "devote their time".

When is it better to use "spend their time" instead of "devote their time"?

Use "spend their time" when you want to describe how someone uses their time in a general, neutral way, without necessarily implying a strong commitment or purpose, whereas "devote their time" implies a significant commitment.