is gaining time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is gaining time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is delaying or postponing an event or decision, often to buy more time for preparation or to avoid immediate consequences. Example: "By asking for an extension on the project deadline, she is gaining time to ensure the quality of her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Meanwhile, Iran is gaining time".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I realized I was gaining time to do other things.

The New York Times

When you're traveling east, you're losing time, and when traveling west, you'll be gaining time.

WikiHow

"It has an amazing presence and feels like it is gaining pace all the time," said our panel.

The Guardian

But they say she is gaining strength all the time, as evidenced by her ability to start walking again.

The New York Times

The Home Office official is gaining further qualifications part-time, to enhance his employability elsewhere.

The Guardian

Implementation process will need to continue to optimize organizational learning and flexibility as experience is gained over time.

BMC Public Health

54 This might imply that the confidence to drive titration is gained over time with increasing familiarity, and thus further longer-term research would be of interest.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

In the long run: flexibility is gained over time; for some it may take weeks or months to fully sit in the splits.

WikiHow

Whatever else is gained and lost over time, these poems at least will be "handed down".

The Guardian - Books

However, German consumers seem to be gaining confidence this time as unemployment falls sharply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is gaining time" when you want to emphasize the act of postponement to achieve a specific goal, like preparation or avoidance of immediate consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "is gaining time" when the delay is unintentional or due to external factors rather than a deliberate strategy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is gaining time" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject is actively in the process of creating a delay or extending a timeframe for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is gaining time" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of intentionally delaying an event or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While it's suitable for formal writing, consider whether a more precise term might be more appropriate depending on the situation. Remember to avoid using this phrase when the delay is unintentional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is buying time

Focuses on the action of intentionally delaying something.

is stalling for time

Implies delaying with the intention of avoiding something.

is securing an advantage

Highlights the act of obtaining a beneficial position.

is delaying the inevitable

Highlights that a negative outcome is unavoidable despite the delay.

is prolonging the period

Focuses on extending the duration of something.

is making progress

Emphasizes forward movement or improvement.

is expanding the window

Conveys widening an opportunity or timeframe.

is advancing steadily

Indicates a consistent and gradual increase.

is protracting the duration

Similar to prolonging, but implies a more significant extension.

is getting ahead

Suggests surpassing others or improving one's position.

FAQs

How can I use "is gaining time" in a sentence?

Use "is gaining time" to describe a situation where someone is deliberately delaying an action or decision, often to create an advantage. For example: "By requesting more information, the company "is gaining time" to assess the situation fully".

What are some alternatives to "is gaining time"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "is gaining time" include "is buying time", "is stalling for time", or "is delaying".

Is "is gaining time" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "is gaining time" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing strategic delays or postponements. However, consider whether a more precise term like "is prolonging" or "is extending" might be more appropriate.

When is it incorrect to use "is gaining time"?

It's incorrect to use "is gaining time" if the delay is unintentional or accidental. This phrase implies a deliberate effort to postpone something. For instance, if a project is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, it would be inaccurate to say the team "is gaining time".