diary clash

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence.
The phrase "diary clash" is not a grammatically correct phrase, and it is not typically used in written English. If you wanted to use this phrase in a sentence, you could rephrase it as "a clash in my diary". For example: "I have a clash in my diary and will have to reschedule this meeting."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Diary clash?

Independent

Alas, Britain's prime minister arrived in Lisbon hours late, after a wholly unconvincing diary clash.

The Economist

I had been booked to speak about my novel alongside the writer Gill Hornby, but a diary clash meant I was forced to pull out.

Independent

If there is a diary clash, the Queen will have first go - but will have to make sure the tank is full when she is finished with it.

The Guardian

Johnson has cited an unfortunate diary clash, though his campaign team was unable to confirm exactly how he would be using his time instead.

The Guardian

A UK government spokesman said Duncan Smith was unable to present the DWP paper in person because of a diary clash.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

He said he would have liked Ashley to have been at the site but that diary clashes did not allow this.

The Guardian - Business

Many concert-goers were unwilling to book tickets without knowing the rest of the programme; how, otherwise, to avoid diary clashes?

The Guardian - Music

But the rift appears to be spreading this week with representatives John Lewis, GK Butterfield and Earl Blumenauer confirming that they would not be attending the event on 3 March and the minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, warning that others may discover similar "diary clashes".

The Guardian

Curriculum vitae Age: 54 Job: Vice-chancellor of Leeds University; from September, chair of the Russell Group of universities Before that: Dean of the medical faculty at Southampton University Likes: Sailing and the Who Dislikes: Impossible diary clashes, of which there are many; rhubarb (the edible variety) Married with one son and two daughters.

The Guardian

The cabinet office said the Liberal Democrat deputy pm confirmed he would not be attending "some time ago" due to "an unfortunate clash of diaries".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diary clash", ensure the context is clear; specify which engagements are conflicting. For instance, 'The conference attendance created a diary clash with pre-scheduled meetings'.

Common error

Avoid using "diary clash" in formal or academic writing; opt for alternatives like "schedule conflict" or "conflicting engagements" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diary clash" functions as a compound noun, indicating a conflict or overlap in scheduled events. It serves to describe a logistical issue arising from scheduling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diary clash" signifies a scheduling conflict, frequently used in news and media to explain absences or scheduling difficulties. While Ludwig AI suggests it may not be strictly grammatically correct, its widespread use makes it generally acceptable in neutral contexts. Alternatives like "schedule conflict" or "conflicting engagements" may be preferable in more formal settings. When using "diary clash", ensure the context clarifies the specific conflicting engagements. Its function is primarily descriptive, explaining why an individual can't attend an event. As per the listed examples, authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schedule conflict

Focuses on the conflict between scheduled events, rather than specifically on a diary.

calendar conflict

Replaces "diary" with "calendar", maintaining the core meaning of overlapping appointments.

scheduling problem

Highlights the issue arising from the scheduling, broadening the scope slightly.

appointment overlap

Emphasizes the overlapping of appointments, providing a more descriptive alternative.

conflicting engagements

Uses a more formal tone by referring to "engagements" instead of diary entries.

overlapping commitments

Similar to "conflicting engagements", but uses "commitments" to stress prior obligations.

clash of schedules

Reverses the structure to "clash of schedules", keeping the core meaning intact.

time conflict

Simplifies to a more general "time conflict", removing direct reference to diaries.

scheduling collision

Uses "collision" for a stronger emphasis on the conflict, implying events directly interfere with each other.

double booking

Specifically refers to the situation where the same time slot is booked for two different events or people.

FAQs

How can I use "diary clash" in a sentence?

You can use "diary clash" to indicate that two or more events are scheduled at the same time, causing a conflict. For example, "The Prime Minister couldn't attend the event due to a "diary clash" with an international summit".

What's a more formal way to say "diary clash"?

Instead of "diary clash", you could use more formal alternatives like "schedule conflict", "conflicting engagements", or "overlapping commitments" depending on the specific situation.

Is "diary clash" grammatically correct?

While widely used, "diary clash" may be considered informal. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is not grammatically correct, therefore, it's better to use alternatives in formal writing. However, its common usage in news and media makes it generally acceptable in less formal contexts.

What does "diary clash" mean?

"Diary clash" refers to a situation where two or more scheduled events or appointments conflict with each other, making it impossible to attend or participate in all of them. It's similar to a "calendar conflict" or "scheduling problem".