devoting my time

USAGE SUMMARY

"devoting my time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about investing your time in something. For example, "I'm devoting my time to learning a new language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I'll be taking this week off from serious stuff and devoting my time to the Masters golf tournament.

The New Yorker

As interested in my child's education as I am, I have no intention of devoting my time to visiting all 340 of them.

The Guardian

What people say privately can be different to what they say publicly, that's why I am devoting my time to quiet consistent diplomatic messaging and relationships".

The Guardian

I am, however, looking forward to devoting my time to writing now that I have set a foundation for future success.

The Guardian - Books

He tells Gray, "Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer".

The New Yorker

"I will step back from my day-to-day producing work on 'American Idol' and will be devoting my time to a new venture with Simon Fuller," said Mr. Lythgoe (pronounced LITH-go).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I devote my time and energy to it," he said.

The New York Times

"What, I should give up all my work and devote my time to gathering documents?

The Economist

Perhaps one day I might even give up on novels and devote my time to painting.

The Guardian - Arts

"I'd rather devote my time to patients who do their best to prevent asthma attacks".

The New York Times

No, I should have devoted my time to "finding" a husband.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoting my time" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and focused allocation of your time and energy to a specific activity or cause. It suggests a meaningful commitment.

Common error

While "devoting my time" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "spending my time" or "focusing on" might be more appropriate depending on context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoting my time" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically describes the act of allocating one's time to a specific purpose or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoting my time" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to express a commitment of time and energy toward a specific activity. Ludwig confirms that the expression is suitable for written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and Huffington Post. It is mostly appropriate in neutral or professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "dedicating my time" or "spending my time" based on the desired nuance. Remember to use "devoting my time" to emphasize a deliberate and focused allocation of your time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicating my time

Synonymous; implies a similar level of commitment, but with slightly more emphasis on solemnity or purpose.

committing my time

Emphasizes the act of pledging or obligating oneself to spend time on something.

allocating my time

Focuses on the distribution of time among different activities, implying a more strategic approach.

investing my time

Highlights the potential return or benefit from spending time on something.

spending my time

A more general term, simply indicating how time is used without necessarily implying dedication or purpose.

giving my time

Suggests an altruistic or charitable use of time.

applying myself

Focuses on the personal effort and diligence put into a task or activity.

using my time

A neutral way to describe how time is utilized, without implying commitment or investment.

occupying my time

Implies that time is being filled with an activity, possibly to avoid boredom or idleness.

filling my time

Similar to 'occupying my time', but suggests a less deliberate or purposeful use of time.

FAQs

How can I use "devoting my time" in a sentence?

You can use "devoting my time" to describe how you are allocating your time and energy to a specific activity or cause. For example, "I am "devoting my time" to learning a new language".

What can I say instead of "devoting my time"?

You can use alternatives like "dedicating my time", "spending my time", or "investing my time" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "devoting my time" or "dedicating my time"?

Both "devoting my time" and "dedicating my time" are correct. The choice depends on the specific context. "Devoting" implies a focused allocation of time and energy, while "dedicating" suggests a more solemn or purposeful commitment.

What's the difference between "devoting my time" and "spending my time"?

"Devoting my time" implies a deliberate and purposeful allocation of time and energy towards a specific goal. "Spending my time" is a more general term that simply indicates how time is being used, without necessarily implying a strong commitment or purpose.