loose time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loose time" is not grammatically correct in written English.
It is possible that the intended phrase is "lose time," which means to waste or fail to take advantage of time. This phrase can be used in situations where time is not used efficiently or effectively. Example: I need to stop taking so many breaks during my study sessions, otherwise I will continue to lose time and won't be able to finish my assignment.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Loose Time" is more than a good-looking piece.

The New York Times

On the formal level "Loose Time" is very possibly about units moving in different sets of rhythms, moving according to loose time.

The New York Times

"Loose Time," the latest dance work to spring from Merce Cunningham's Zeus-like brow, has a fiery and original impact.

The New York Times

On Wednesday night the program included "Loose Time," right, a new work for 16 dancers choreographed by Mr. Cunningham.

The New York Times

He had much loose time, and nothing, somehow, better filled it than the perusal of extinct mammals.

The New Yorker

On the surface "Loose Time" shares some aspects with the other two Cunningham pieces on the program: "Pictures" (1984) and "How to Pass, Kick, Fall and Run" (1965).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Lastly, it proposed a return to negotiations.In this section The UN's U-turn Silent leaders help the virus to spread Haunted by a hat Powell in the lions' den Brighter days in the copperbelt ReprintsMr Powell believes that the ceasefire has made enough progress at least to start the cooling-off period and set up "a loose time-frame" for Mr Mitchell's other proposals.

The Economist

The Republicans may believe there is honor in the Party's unpopular insistence upon a stern standard of morality in loose times, but those who have stood too sternly for anything in the '90s have suffered for their sanctimony.

The New Yorker

MiniSec uses an incrementing counter (the packet number concatenated with the epoch number) as nonce; this is simple, allows multihop transmission (provided there is loose time-synchronisation in the system), and is resilient to loss.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

"It was a break-loose time," Mr. Wiley said fondly.

The New York Times - Arts

The looser tone fits a looser time, and some speakers now work with neither prepared texts nor fear of grammatical error.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing time, double-check whether you intend to convey an inexact moment or duration by using "approximate time", or the squandering of opportunity by saying "losing time".

Common error

The word "loose" describes something not tightly fixed, while "lose" means to misplace or fail to win. Avoid using "loose time" when you mean "lose time", which refers to wasting time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loose time" as such, does not have a standard grammatical function. It often appears where "lose time" (a verb phrase indicating wasted time) or another related noun phrase describing flexible or unstructured time might be more appropriate. Ludwig AI suggests the alternative "lose time" is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "loose time" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the correct phrase as "lose time", indicating wasted opportunity. Usage of "loose time" often attempts to describe either wasted time or a flexible arrangement, but lacks precision. For formal communication, consider grammatically sound alternatives like "slack time" or rephrasing to improve clarity and credibility. Although the phrase appears in reputable sources like the The New York Times, remember that clarity and correctness enhance writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing time

Refers to the act of wasting time or falling behind schedule.

wasted time

Highlights time that has been spent unproductively or without achieving a desired outcome.

slack time

Implies a period of inactivity or reduced activity within a schedule.

flexible time

Refers to having adjustable hours or scheduling options.

free time

Indicates time available for leisure or personal activities.

loose schedule

Indicates a plan that is not strictly defined or adhered to.

unproductive hours

Specifically refers to hours spent without achieving significant results.

approximate time

Suggests an estimated or imprecise timeframe.

available time

Suggests the amount of time that can be used for a particular activity.

vague time

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or precision regarding a specific point in time.

FAQs

What is the difference between "loose time" and "lose time"?

"Loose time" is generally not considered grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "lose time", which means to waste or fail to take advantage of time. For example, "If I don't focus, I'll "lose time" and not finish my project".

What can I say instead of "loose time" to indicate flexible scheduling?

If you want to convey flexibility in scheduling, you can use phrases like "flexible time", "slack time", or "unstructured time".

How can I avoid using "loose time" incorrectly in my writing?

Always double-check your intention. If you mean to describe the act of wasting time, use "lose time". If you're referring to a flexible arrangement, consider "flexible time" or "slack period".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "loose time"?

While not grammatically standard, "loose time" might appear in informal contexts or non-edited content. However, it's best to use correct alternatives like "slack time" or "wasted time" in formal or professional writing.