find time

USAGE SUMMARY

"find time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to express the idea that someone is making an effort to make time to do something. For example: "With all of his other commitments, John is trying to find time to visit his grandmother this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Where do we find time?

The New York Times

However do they find time to teach?

The Guardian

"Wish I could find time to exercise".

The New Yorker

"I always find time," she said.

The New York Times

Then, they may find time for governing.

The New York Times

Not everyone, though, would find time.

The New York Times - Sports

When could everyone find time to sleep?

The New York Times

She might not find time.

The Guardian

Find time for intentional interactions.

The Washington Post

How do you find time for more?

Columbia University

"We will find time to talk".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "find time" when the context implies some difficulty or surprise in the availability of time, suggesting that time was not readily apparent or easily accessible.

Common error

In professional or academic writing, avoid overusing the phrase "find time". Opt for more formal alternatives like "allocate time" or "schedule time" to maintain a polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find time" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making an effort to locate or create availability in one's schedule for a particular activity. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase correctly conveys the effort involved in allocating time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "find time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies making an effort to locate or create availability for an activity within a schedule. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application across various contexts. While versatile, opting for more formal alternatives like "allocate time" may be suitable for professional writing. The phrase's neutral register makes it applicable in both formal and informal communication. Be mindful of overusing it; at times "make time" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make time

Focuses on the effort to create availability.

set aside time

Emphasizes reserving time for a specific purpose.

carve out time

Implies carefully creating small blocks of time.

allocate time

Implies a more formal distribution of time.

free up time

Indicates making time by removing other commitments.

dedicate time

Highlights committing time to a task or person.

schedule time

Suggests a structured planning approach.

manage to find time

Adds a sense of difficulty or surprise in finding the time.

make room in one's schedule

Suggests adjusting the schedule to accommodate something new.

create an opportunity

Shifts focus to creating the right conditions for something to happen.

FAQs

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

Use "find time" to express the action of making an effort to discover or create availability in your schedule for a particular activity. For example, "Despite his busy schedule, he tries to "find time" for exercise each week".

What are some alternatives to "find time" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "make time", "allocate time", or "set aside time" to express the idea of creating availability for something.

Is it better to say "find time" or "make time"?

While both are correct, "make time" often implies a more active and intentional effort to create availability, while ""find time"" suggests discovering or managing to fit something into an existing schedule.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "find time"?

"Find time" is appropriate in situations where you want to emphasize the effort to locate or carve out moments within a busy schedule for a specific activity. For instance, "It's challenging, but I always try to "find time" for my family".