find the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find the time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to the difficulty of finding time in your busy schedule for something. For example: "I would love to meet up with you for lunch, but I just can't seem to find the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Find the time.

The New York Times

Where does she find the time?

The New York Times

I can never find the time".

The New Yorker

How did he find the time?

Independent

How did she find the time?

The New Yorker

I don't find the time".

The Guardian - Music

I couldn't find the time to work.

The New Yorker

Find the time, find the bugler.

The New York Times - Tech

How do you find the time?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then he says, "Find the time".

The New Yorker

How did anyone find the time?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "find the time", be specific about what you're trying to make time for. This provides context and emphasizes the importance of the task.

Common error

Avoid casually saying "I'll find the time" without a realistic plan. It's better to offer specific timeframes or suggest alternative solutions if your schedule is genuinely tight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find the time" functions as an imperative or infinitive phrase, often used to express the need or desire to locate or create sufficient time for a specific activity within a limited schedule. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "find the time" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey the challenge of creating or locating sufficient time within a busy schedule. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable across diverse contexts, especially within news media, science, and general discussions. Consider alternatives such as "make time" or "allocate time" depending on the specific nuance you wish to express. A key best practice is to clarify what you need to "find the time" for, providing context to your request or statement. However, avoid overpromising your availability without a practical plan to avoid potential overcommitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make time

Similar meaning, but emphasizes actively creating time in a schedule.

schedule time

Focuses on formally allocating time for something.

allocate time

Implies a more structured distribution of time.

set aside time

Emphasizes reserving time for a specific purpose.

carve out time

Suggests effort in extracting time from a busy schedule.

free up time

Focuses on making time available by removing other commitments.

squeeze in time

Implies fitting something into a very tight schedule.

manage to find time

Adds a sense of accomplishment in finding time despite challenges.

get around to

Suggests eventually finding time for something that has been postponed.

dedicate time

Highlights the commitment of time to a particular activity.

FAQs

How can I use "find the time" in a sentence?

You can use "find the time" to express the difficulty of scheduling something, like "I need to "find the time to relax"" or "It's hard to "find the time to exercise" with my busy schedule."

What are some alternatives to "find the time"?

Alternatives include "make time", "schedule time", or "allocate time", depending on the context and the emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "find the time"?

Yes, the phrase "find the time" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English, according to Ludwig AI.

What does "find the time" typically imply?

"Find the time" typically implies that someone is busy or has a lot of commitments, and it will require effort or prioritization to "set aside time" for something.