for time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you are referring to duration or a specific period. Example: "I need to allocate resources for time management." Alternative expressions include "for a while," "for a period," and "for some time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was pleading for time.

The Economist

He was squeezed for time.

The New York Times

He is playing for time".

Independent

At a fourth, he called for time.

The New York Times - Magazine

But stalling for time is wiser.

The Economist

It is also playing for time.

The Economist

Suddenly, Djokovic himself is pressed for time.

The New York Times - Sports

They were released for time served.

The New York Times

Rania Abouzeid covers Syria for Time magazine.

The New Yorker

ANDERS BORG is pressed for time.

The Economist

Now how about equal time for time?

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for time", consider whether a more specific duration (e.g., "for an hour", "for a day") would provide greater clarity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "for time" when you mean "on time". "For time" indicates duration, while "on time" means punctual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for time" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase. It modifies verbs or nouns, indicating duration, purpose, or reason. Ludwig AI's examples show it being used to describe reasons (released for time served) or conditions (pressed for time).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for time" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate duration, purpose, or reason, as indicated by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to academic writing, and generally maintains a neutral tone. To enhance clarity, you could consider more specific durations when appropriate, avoiding confusion with "on time". Overall, "for time" is grammatically sound and useful in various communicative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a period

Replaces "time" with a more general term for duration.

for a while

Indicates a limited duration, similar to "for time".

in the interim

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the duration.

during that period

Specifies a particular duration under consideration.

while

A shorter and more concise term for duration.

for the duration

Highlights the entire length of a particular event or activity.

due to lack of time

Specifies cause of an action, the limited availability of "time".

owing to time constraints

Highlights the limitation imposed by "time" restrictions.

in the short term

Focuses on a brief period, contrasting with longer durations.

temporarily

Expresses a non-permanent state or action, related to duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "for time" to indicate a duration, purpose, or reason related to "time", such as "They were released "for time served"" or "We need to budget resources "for time management"".

What does it mean when someone says they are "pressed for time"?

Being "pressed for time" means that someone is short on available "time" and needs to rush or prioritize tasks. It indicates a lack of sufficient "time" to complete everything at a comfortable pace.

What are some alternative ways to say someone is stalling "for time"?

Instead of saying someone is stalling "for time", you could say they are "playing "playing for time"", "delaying", or "procrastinating".

Is it correct to say "for the time" instead of "for time"?

While "for the time" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different meaning than "for time". "For the time" usually refers to "for the time being" or a specific moment, while "for time" generally indicates a duration or purpose related to the concept of "time".