finding time for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finding time for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of making time in one's schedule for a particular activity or person. Example: "I have been struggling with finding time for my hobbies amidst my busy work schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you're having trouble finding time for exercise, find a way to work your baby into your routine.

WikiHow

Along the way he finds time to educate himself, in addition to finding time for beer and bingo at weekends.

The Guardian - Books

But what is really happening is that you're finding time for everything else that is a pressing need and then find yourself with no gas left in the tank for your non-pressing need -- marriage.

Huffington Post

Not sure how I'm finding time for this all.

The Guardian - Music

But, the writer said, finding time for the hobby became harder after marriage, and the site is now largely unattended.

The New York Times

Hate to say, but I have as much trouble finding time for it as I do for my Hula Hoop.

The New York Times

And to make sure she keeps finding time for her other passions, like antique-hunting, holding dinner parties and reading, reading, reading.

The New York Times

Meditation is a highly recommended tool, and one that Freston's friends say they value, without necessarily finding time for it themselves.

The New Yorker

He didn't play at all in his freshman year, and had trouble finding time for himself at receiver, competing against more skilled players at the position.

The New Yorker

They both admit that coming to parenthood later in life came with challenges, not the least of which is finding time for their own relationship.

The New York Times

What a dazzling thing Detectorists is, encompassing the big themes – love, loss, death – with poignancy and warmth, while still finding time for some killer drive-by gags: the discovery of a brooch with a Latin inscription is a beaut.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "finding time for" with actionable strategies. Instead of just stating you're finding time, describe how you plan to do so (e.g. "finding time for exercise by scheduling 30-minute blocks").

Common error

Avoid using "finding time for" as a generic statement without specifying the activity or person. Provide details to make the sentence more meaningful and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finding time for" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of allocating or creating time for a specific purpose. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finding time for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the act of allocating or creating time for something specific amidst a busy schedule. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, with the most common being news and media. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specifying what you're making time for enhances the sentence's meaning. Remember to explore alternatives like "making room for" or "carving out time for" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carving out time for

Highlights the effort required to create time in a busy schedule.

setting aside time for

Suggests deliberately reserving time for a specific purpose.

creating time for

Focuses on the act of making time where none existed before.

freeing up time for

Implies removing other commitments to create available time.

making room for

Focuses on creating space in one's schedule or life for something.

making space for

Similar to 'making room for' but can also refer to emotional or mental space.

allocating time for

Implies a more formal or structured approach to scheduling time.

prioritizing time for

Emphasizes the importance of the activity being scheduled.

scheduling time for

Emphasizes the act of putting something on a calendar.

devoting time to

Suggests dedicating a significant amount of time to something.

FAQs

What does "finding time for" mean?

The phrase "finding time for" means allocating or creating time in one's schedule to accommodate a particular activity, person, or commitment. It implies making an effort to include something in a potentially busy or already full schedule.

How can I use "finding time for" in a sentence?

You can use "finding time for" to describe the process of making time for something important. For example, "I am /s/struggling+with finding time for my hobbies/s/ amidst my demanding work schedule".

What are some alternatives to "finding time for"?

Some alternatives to "finding time for" include "making room for", "setting aside time for", or "carving out time for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make time for" or "finding time for"?

Both "make time for" and "finding time for" are correct and usable. "Make time for" emphasizes the act of creating time, while "finding time for" highlights the effort of discovering or allocating available time. The choice depends on the specific context.