draining time

USAGE SUMMARY

'draining time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that is tiring and seems to pass slowly. For example, "Waiting for the results of my college entrance exam was draining time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Maybe we find them boring, pointless, draining, time consuming, annoying, or anxiety producing.

Harvard Business Review

This has been an intense and emotionally draining time for me and my family, taking its toll on us all".

The Guardian

First, a mechanistic approach based on the study of the collisions between the growing bubbles, which uses the concept of draining time.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

It's a mentally draining time.

BBC

Which means that, as their companies grow and evolve, they have to repeat the hiring process over and over again, draining time and money they don't have.

Forbes

The controller enabled setting the upper and lower temperature limits, the water fill time, the delay before draining time, and the drain time before putting the PLC in automatic or manual control mode.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was clear from the interviews that nursing work at this time had the potential to be emotionally draining, time-consuming and complex in terms of managing professional, interprofessional and nurse patient relationships.

BMJ Open

Common ricotta draining times used in recipes vary from one to eight hours.

WikiHow

If you are going to do it properly you cannot rush it, and implementing an effective marketing plan just drains time away from the actual writing.

The Guardian - Books

Nothing drains time from lab work like family; therefore, purge all references to family from your workplace.

Science Magazine

Regardless of whether these suits succeed, they inevitably drain time and resources.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a period that depletes emotional or physical energy, use "draining time" to effectively convey the sense of exhaustion and prolonged effort.

Common error

Avoid using "draining time" to describe an action that actively removes something from time. Instead, use it to describe a period that feels exhausting or depleting. For example, it's more appropriate to say "That project was a "draining time"" rather than "The project was actively draining time from other tasks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draining time" functions as a descriptor, modifying the noun "time" with the adjective "draining." It characterizes a period as one that depletes physical, emotional, or mental resources. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draining time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a period characterized by emotional, physical, or mental exhaustion. It effectively conveys a sense of depletion and burden associated with the passage of time. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, with primary usage in news media and scientific publications, and is considered to have a neutral register. Alternatives like "time-consuming period" or "emotionally taxing time" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the exhausting or depleting nature of the time being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-consuming period

Replaces "draining" with a more direct synonym for length or difficulty.

tiresome duration

Emphasizes the weariness associated with the length of time.

arduous time

Highlights the strenuous and difficult nature of the time period.

emotionally taxing time

Focuses on the emotional toll rather than the time itself.

trying moments

Focuses on the testing and difficult nature of the moments experienced.

difficult spell

Replaces time with spell, which means a limited period of time, and draining with difficult.

challenging period

Shifts the focus to the difficulty and demands of the time.

consuming hours

Replaces the adjective and goes with the verb "consuming" to characterize the time.

resource-depleting phase

Highlights the consumption of resources, including time and energy.

energy-sapping period

Highlights the reduction of energy due to time spent.

FAQs

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

Use "draining time" to describe a period that is emotionally or physically exhausting. For example, "The long commute to work became a "draining time" each day".

What is a good alternative to "draining time"?

Alternatives include "time-consuming period", "emotionally taxing time", or "resource-depleting phase", depending on the specific context.

Is "draining time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "draining time" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a period that depletes one's energy or resources. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What does it mean when someone says something is "draining time"?

It means that the activity or situation is consuming a lot of time in a way that is also exhausting or depleting other resources such as energy or focus.