if time permitted

USAGE SUMMARY

"if time permitted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something would happen if you had more time. For example: "I would love to visit Paris, but if time permitted I'd also like to go to Rome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A church source said the motion would only be debated or voted on if time permitted.

The Guardian

Now he was asking whether the school would allow his former guerrillas to complete their education there; if time permitted, and the peace held, he was thinking about going back to school himself.

The New Yorker

If time permitted and the preparation remained in good condition, the contralateral brain stem was explored at the same levels.

Brain Research

▪ In addition to this, perimetry was conducted in 1 in 10 participants not meeting the criteria, if time permitted.

BMJ Open

While offspring attended the 15-y follow-up clinic (n = 5509), clinic staff measured the accompanying adult's weight, height, and BP if time permitted.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

If time permitted, participants voted on solutions they found most compelling and discussed the pros and cons of these solutions further.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

If time permits, have each group share some of the inspirational messages they listed.

The New York Times

Help get things back to what they were, and make them even better if time permits".

The Guardian

If time permits, pilots are encouraged to show children the flight deck and offer them JetBlue trading cards.

The New York Times - Travel

If time permits or in a future class period, each group should present and explain their diagrams to the class.

The New York Times

If time permits, have pairs identify each of the geometric concepts on the drawn map they were given.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if time permitted" to clearly indicate that an action or activity is secondary and will only occur if there is sufficient time after completing primary tasks. This manages expectations and prioritizes activities effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "if time permitted" when the action is crucial. This phrase suggests the action is optional; if it's essential, rephrase to emphasize its importance and integrate it into the primary plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if time permitted" functions as an adverbial clause of condition. It modifies the main clause by setting a condition based on the availability of time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if time permitted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote that something will occur only when enough time is available. Ludwig AI validates this, and analysis reveals its prevalence in scientific, news, and general media contexts. It's crucial to use it correctly to indicate secondary actions without implying that essential tasks are optional. Alternatives like "if time allows" or "time permitting" can be employed to achieve a similar effect, while the choice between "if time permits" and "if time permitted" depends on whether referring to a general condition or a specific past plan.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time permitting

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the same meaning.

if there's enough time

Replaces "time permitted" with a more direct expression of sufficient time.

if time allows

Uses a simpler verb to convey the possibility dependent on time.

if we have the time

Shifts the focus to the availability of time for those involved.

should time allow

Emphasizes the conditional nature with a more formal tone.

if the schedule permits

Focuses on whether the schedule allows for the action.

as time is available

Expresses availability in a more descriptive manner.

depending on time constraints

Highlights the limitations that time might impose.

if we are not pressed for time

Emphasizes the absence of time pressure as a condition.

contingent on time availability

More formal and emphasizes the dependence on time.

FAQs

How can I use "if time permitted" in a sentence?

Use "if time permitted" to indicate that an action will only be taken should there be enough time. For example: "We will discuss the new marketing strategies, and "if time permitted", we'll also brainstorm some new ideas."

What are some alternatives to "if time permitted"?

You can use alternatives such as "if time allows", "time permitting", or "if there's enough time" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "if time permitted" or "if time allows"?

"If time permitted" can be perceived as slightly more formal than "if time allows", but both are generally acceptable in most contexts.

What is the difference between "if time permits" and "if time permitted"?

"If time permits" is the present tense form, suggesting a general condition, while ""if time permitted"" is the past tense, often referring to a specific instance or plan. For example, "If time permits, we'll visit the museum" versus "If time permitted, we would have visited the museum last week".