for the time of

USAGE SUMMARY

"for the time of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are attempting to express a period or point of time. For example: "She had decided that she would take a break from work for the time of her holiday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some fathers, if you ask them for the time of day, spit silver dollars.

The New Yorker

We've created moments that are tailored for the time of day, and day of week.

The Guardian

Morality, he insists, is for the time of leisure that is to come.

The Guardian - Books

The sentiment is a reassuringly consoling one for the time of year.

The Guardian - Music

Sea ice is at the lowest extent ever recorded for the time of year.

The Guardian

I think, in retrospect, that the nurse was asking him for the time of pronouncement.

The New York Times

The results are stupendous, and perfect for the time of year.

The Guardian - Music

During the court appearance, Judge Francis asked for the time of Mr. Shahzad's arrest.

The New York Times

I live in London and it's been quite balmy for the time of year.

Independent

The Met Office said this type of weather was not uncharacteristic for the time of year.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the time-of-flight distribution in other geometries, the reader is referred to [ 57].

Biomedical Optics Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for the time of", ensure the context clearly defines the specific period or event you are referencing. For example, "The weather was unseasonably warm for the time of year."

Common error

Avoid using "for the time of" when a simpler preposition like "during" or "at" would suffice, particularly if the period is self-evident from the context. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the time of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies nouns or clauses by specifying a period or point in time. It often introduces a temporal context, indicating when something occurs or is valid, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "for the time of" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate a period or point in time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts. Its primary function is to provide temporal context, specifying when something occurs or is valid. While its register is generally neutral, it tends towards formality, especially in news, scientific, and business communications. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the specific period being referenced and consider using simpler alternatives like "during" or "at" to avoid sounding stilted. The phrase finds prominence in sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and the BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during

A simple preposition indicating when something happens.

during the period of

Replaces "for the time of" with a more formal and extended phrase emphasizing the duration.

at the moment of

Focuses on a precise instant rather than a broader period.

in the course of

Highlights progression or sequence of events over a period.

at the point in time of

Extends the original phrase to add emphasis, focusing on the exact timing.

throughout the duration of

Emphasizes the entire length of a specific time.

spanning the period of

Indicates that something extends across a defined time.

while

A shorter, more concise word replacing the phrase, denoting simultaneous events.

within the timeframe of

Implies setting limits within the designated period.

in that era

Refers to an extended historical period, providing an alternative to specifying a shorter time.

FAQs

How can I use "for the time of" in a sentence?

Use "for the time of" to specify a particular duration or point when something occurs, such as "The conditions were unusually mild "for the time of year"" or "The project was put on hold "for the time of the renovations"".

What are some alternatives to "for the time of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "during", "while", or "at the moment of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to use "for the time of" or can it sometimes be omitted?

In many cases, "for the time of" can be omitted without changing the meaning. For instance, instead of "The event is scheduled "for the time of the festival"", you can simply say "The event is scheduled "during the festival"".

When is it more appropriate to use "during" instead of "for the time of"?

"During" is generally preferable when referring to an event or period, while "for the time of" may be more appropriate when emphasizing a specific condition or state related to that period. For example, "We closed the road "during the parade"" versus "The weather was unseasonably warm "for the time of year"".