devote time

USAGE SUMMARY

"devote time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the act of dedicating a certain amount of time to something. For example, "I devote time each day to volunteering in my local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He continued to devote time to the University of Rochester.

The New York Times

It allowed us to devote time to Caroline.

The New York Times

I just devote time to teaching and researching and writing.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gentles said the group does devote time and care to the photographs.

The New York Times

Academics who devote time to teaching are often precisely the ones who most inspire students.

The Guardian

Some don't want to devote time to the hard conversations that produce good decisions.

The New York Times

Without it, young athletes have little incentive to devote time to training, advocates say.

The New York Times - Sports

They also have office hours throughout the week so they may devote time to helping students.

The New York Times

His company encourages its staff to devote time, at the firm's expense, to charitable works.

The Economist

Mr. Gore is going to contest this state and devote time and money here.

The New York Times

Mr. Leedy plans to devote time to painting and travel writing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devote time", clearly specify the activity or purpose to which time is being dedicated to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "devote time" without indicating the scope or intensity of the commitment. Instead of saying 'I devote time to my hobbies', specify 'I devote several hours each week to playing the guitar'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote time" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of dedicating or allocating time to a specific activity or purpose. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across varied contexts, reinforcing its function as a descriptor of time investment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devote time" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of dedicating time to something. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the numerous examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the object of your dedication is clear. Alternatives such as "dedicate time" or "allocate time" can be used for a more formal tone. Remember to specify the scope of your time commitment to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dedicate time

Emphasizes a more formal and committed allocation of time.

Allocate time

Focuses on distributing time among different activities or tasks.

Set aside time

Suggests reserving time for a specific purpose, often implying a deliberate scheduling decision.

Make time

Highlights the effort required to find or create time in a busy schedule.

Invest time

Implies a long-term commitment of time with the expectation of a return or benefit.

Give time

Focuses on the act of offering or contributing time to someone or something.

Spend time

A more general term for using time, without necessarily implying dedication.

Reserve time

Indicates that a certain period of time is specifically saved and not used for anything else.

Allot time

Similar to allocate, but can imply a more rigid or structured distribution of time.

Appropriate time

Suggests taking the necessary time for something, often implying it was previously unavailable.

FAQs

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

You can use "devote time" to describe dedicating time to an activity, such as, "I "devote time" to volunteering" or "She "devotes time" to her studies."

What's a more formal alternative to "devote time"?

Alternatives like "dedicate time" or "allocate time" can be used in more formal contexts to emphasize a deliberate and committed allocation of time.

Is it correct to say "devote time for" instead of "devote time to"?

While "devote time to" is the standard and more common phrasing, "devote time for" can be acceptable depending on the context, but it's generally safer to use "devote time to" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

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

"Make time" implies creating or finding time in a busy schedule, whereas "devote time" suggests a deliberate and consistent dedication of time to a specific activity or purpose.