devote time and energy

USAGE SUMMARY

"devote time and energy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to describe dedicating a significant amount of effort over a period of time to something. For example: "I'm going to devote time and energy to learning a new language this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He continued to devote time and energy to politics, but it is doubtful that he thereby served his country's and his own best interests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You devote time and energy to your guildmates, prioritize quests, and pull long hours for glory (not to mention epic loot).

The Washington Post

The Helium program could help solve "a billion-dollar problem" in computing: companies having to devote time and energy to patching old code by hand.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Also, he said, because he had been struggling to find work, he was so wholeheartedly focused on his career that he could not "devote time and energy to a healthy relationship".

The New York Times

Member states have tired of the UN's reporting requirements and, according to the monitoring team, are "no longer as ready to devote time and energy preparing reports to UN" as they were in the period following the 9/11 attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Accordingly, it may not make sense to devote time and energy to a mission to the Hubble -- only to find that the safety actions and procedures required by the board could not be followed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

She devoted time and energy to creating a popular online forum for commentaries and other coverage; the program won an Edward R. Murrow award for best newscast in 2008 and 2009, and three Emmy Awards in 2010.

The New York Times

Though Christopher devoted time and energy to the Middle East, the great achievement of Clinton's first term – the historic September 1993 handshake on the White House lawn between Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin – was mostly the fruit of Norway's labours, not his own.

Independent

He adds that one of Stokes's teammates, Jack Twyman, became Stokes's financial guardian and "generously" devoted time and energy through the course of the 12-year ordeal that preceded Stokes's death.

The New York Times - Books

Much of the music she recorded was in the public domain, but Ms. Reitz said she had devoted time and energy to tracking down the rights to some songs and to paying artists royalties when she could.

The New York Times - Arts

The reasons they do not routinely exercise these skills are almost certainly rooted in natural selection -- males devoting time and energy to tending offspring they may not have sired are liable to find themselves an evolutionary dead end.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devote time and energy", ensure that the object of your dedication is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I will devote time and energy", specify "I will devote time and energy to mastering this skill".

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "devote time and energy" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "dedicate resources" or "invest effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote time and energy" functions as a verb phrase, typically used with an object to indicate where the time and energy are being directed. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devote time and energy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses dedication and effort towards a specific goal. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and readily usable. It is most frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signifying a focused investment of personal resources. To enhance writing, consider synonyms such as "dedicate resources" or "invest effort" to avoid repetition. When utilizing "devote time and energy", ensure the object of your dedication is clearly defined to provide clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apply time and effort

Reorders the original phrase while retaining the same meaning.

dedicate oneself

Emphasizes a personal commitment of time and energy.

dedicate resources

Focuses on the allocation of resources, including time and energy.

commit resources

Similar to dedicate, but emphasizes the act of committing available resources.

invest effort

Highlights the investment of effort, implying a commitment of time and energy.

put effort in

Focuses on the act of putting effort into something.

expend effort

Emphasizes the spending or using up of effort.

concentrate efforts

Emphasizes the concentration of multiple efforts.

apply oneself

Focuses on the act of applying oneself diligently.

focus attention

Highlights the concentration of attention, which requires time and energy.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "devote time and energy" in a professional context?

In professional settings, you can use phrases such as "dedicate resources", "commit resources", or "invest effort" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

What does it mean to "devote time and energy" to something?

To "devote time and energy" means to dedicate a significant amount of your time and effort to a particular task, goal, or activity. It implies a strong commitment and willingness to invest resources into achieving a desired outcome.

Is it better to "devote time and energy" or "spend time and energy"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "devote time and energy" suggests a more deliberate and focused dedication, whereas "spend time and energy" might imply a less directed or more general use of these resources. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended emphasis.

How can I avoid sounding repetitive when using "devote time and energy"?

To avoid repetition, vary your language by using synonyms like "dedicate oneself", "apply oneself", or "concentrate efforts". Also, consider restructuring your sentences to reduce the frequency of the phrase.