moment to spare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moment to spare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that there is a small amount of extra time available before a deadline or event. Example: "I finished my report early, so I had a moment to spare before the meeting started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They had a gig to get to, and not a moment to spare.

The New York Times - Arts

Evidently Plate 347 has arrived with barely a moment to spare.

The New York Times - Arts

If you've got a moment to spare and fancy actually prodding your brain, what better than a comic strip?

The New York Times - Tech

It has meant that life has been very, very busy, very full, not a moment to spare".

The Guardian

I may not always be in a rush, but I definitely don't have a moment to spare, even for a cause — and I do care about causes.

The New Yorker

There was just a moment to spare for real distinction, then, as Messi struck in the third minute of stoppage time before the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Later reports suggested that he might have escaped with moments to spare.

The Economist

Then, with moments to spare before I left, I spotted it.

The Guardian - Travel

"Immaculate, calm and old-headed," thought Neville Cardus: "His cricket is perpetually keeping an appointment leisurely with moments to spare.

The Guardian - Sport

The latest book by Tony Blair's favourite Islamic scholar is especially designed for people with only a few moments to spare.

The Guardian - Opinion

So yeah, the interview is worth the read if you have a few moments to spare.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moment to spare" when you want to convey that someone has a brief amount of time available amidst other activities, indicating a potential opportunity for a quick task or interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "moment to spare" in situations where immediate action is required. The phrase implies a degree of leisure or availability that is inappropriate when urgency is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moment to spare" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the availability of a short period of time. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. Example: "If you have a "moment to spare", could you help me with this?"

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moment to spare" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a brief period of available time. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is suitable for written English. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral contexts, as confirmed by its prevalence in news and media sources. When using the phrase, ensure the situation aligns with the connotation of having a small amount of extra time, avoiding situations requiring immediate urgency. Remember, there are several alternatives available, like "time to kill" or "extra time", but context is key to choosing the best fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a spare minute

Replaces "moment" with "minute", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different emphasis on the duration.

extra time available

Simply states that additional time is present, lacking the subtle nuance of "moment to spare".

time to kill

Suggests having extra time with nothing specific to do, often implying boredom.

time to breathe

Implies needing a break or rest, suggesting the busyness that precedes the "moment to spare".

time on one's hands

Indicates having free time, differing from "moment to spare" by implying more leisure.

free time available

Highlights the availability of uncommitted time, broader than a specific "moment".

leisure time available

Emphasizes the availability of free time for relaxation or hobbies, unlike the potential urgency implied in "moment to spare".

a window of opportunity

Emphasizes a limited time frame for a specific action or task.

ample opportunity

Focuses on the availability of a chance or possibility, rather than just time.

an opportune moment

Highlights that the time is right to perform a specific action, which is only contextually close to "moment to spare".

FAQs

How can I use "moment to spare" in a sentence?

You can use "moment to spare" to indicate a brief period of available time, as in "If you have a "moment to spare", could you help me with this task?"

What's a good alternative to "moment to spare"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "time to kill", "spare time", or "extra time".

When is it appropriate to use "moment to spare"?

Use "moment to spare" when someone has a small amount of time available between tasks or commitments, suggesting an opportunity for a brief activity.

Is "moments to spare" grammatically correct?

Yes, "moments to spare" is grammatically correct. It simply indicates that there are multiple short periods of time available, whereas "moment to spare" suggests a single instance.