every waking minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"every waking minute" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: I spend every waking minute studying for my final exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Dan A. Turner wrote that his son's "every waking minute is consumed with worry, anxiety, fear, and depression".

Los Angeles Times

Congressmen spend every waking minute raising the stuff.

The Economist

Don't spend every waking minute in libraries and lectures.

The Guardian

Zachary and his phone spent virtually every waking minute together.

The New Yorker

His every waking minute is consumed with worry, anxiety, fear and depression.

The Guardian

At the time, he was asked why he had not left ABC to spend every waking minute with the Celtics.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The average Briton spends one in every 12 waking minute online, racking up around 43 hours of web activity each month.

Independent

*By "waking minute," we mean your baby's waking minute.

The New York Times

"Nine of every 10 waking minutes, I love it.

Los Angeles Times

Prohibited from lying down during the day or exercising, he was forced to respond every five of his waking minutes to a guard's question: 'Are you OK?' In his final weeks of isolation, Manning was deprived of all clothing beyond a tear-proof smock and forced to stand at attention every night in the nude.

Huffington Post

More and more of our waking minutes are spent looking at screens of various sizes.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every waking minute" to emphasize the constant nature of an activity, thought, or state. This phrase adds intensity and highlights the pervasive nature of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "every waking minute" for routine or trivial situations. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the constant nature is significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every waking minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to emphasize the continuous and constant nature of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used. The examples show the phrase describing obsessive thoughts, constant work, or continuous activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every waking minute" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to emphasize the constant and continuous nature of an activity, thought, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources, with less frequent occurrences in Science and Academia. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the constant nature is significant. Related phrases include "constantly thinking about" and "all the time". Remember to use it judiciously to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constantly thinking about

Focuses on mental preoccupation rather than a continuous span of time.

continuously

Emphasizes the unbroken nature of an action or state.

all the time

A more general expression indicating high frequency, but not necessarily continuous activity.

without a break

Emphasizes the lack of interruption in an activity.

around the clock

Implies activity occurring 24 hours a day, including when one should be sleeping.

nonstop

A more informal way to express continuous activity.

day and night

Similar to 'around the clock' but emphasizes the contrast between day and night activities.

all day long

Similar to "from dawn till dusk" but less poetic.

incessantly

Highlights the continuous and often annoying nature of an action.

from dawn till dusk

Indicates activity that spans the entire day, but not necessarily during sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "every waking minute" in a sentence?

This phrase emphasizes the constant or continuous nature of an activity or thought. For example: "He spends "every waking minute" thinking about the project."

What phrases are similar to "every waking minute"?

Alternatives include "constantly thinking about", "all the time", or "around the clock" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "every waking minute" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is acceptable in both formal and informal writing, but consider the impact and intensity it adds to the sentence. Ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "every waking minute" and "all the time"?

"Every waking minute" specifically refers to the time when someone is awake, emphasizing continuous activity during those hours. "All the time" is a broader phrase that doesn't necessarily exclude sleeping hours, and it may be used for general, frequent occurrences.