occupy time

USAGE SUMMARY

'occupy time' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to suggest that something or someone is spending or taking up a certain amount of time. For example: "I'm trying to find ways to occupy my time during the summer holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If I have a morning unveiling, or God forbid, a funeral, that will occupy time.

The New York Times

There's some practical matters as well that will occupy time here in Washington, D.C. Q.

The New York Times

PETER TRACHTENBERG An only child, Peter Trachtenberg made up tales when he was young to occupy time and entertain himself.

The New York Times

"We find there are other ways to occupy time," said Janet Crane, who has a first grader and fifth grader working toward a gold medal.

The New York Times

"I'm just saying that the reality of it is, if you've got small children at home or if you have a wife who's pregnant, that's going to occupy time on your schedule".

The New York Times

This is a nice plump little morsel to occupy time normally devoted to pre-lottery quiz games and the banalities of celebrity ballroom dancing but whatever else we feel about the fate of the old Cup in a changing world and evolving priorities we can surely say it deserves a hell of lot better than this.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The amount of data can be represented by occupied bandwidth and occupied time in more detailed requirements.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

They had no particular need for a stop sign, but it occupied time.

The New York Times

Washington is perhaps less used to the transient memorial, occupying time not space.

The New York Times - Arts

With one obvious difference: a performance occupies time and space, but it isn't a physical thing.

The New York Times

Occupied time T.   3.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occupy time" when you want to suggest that something is being used to fill or spend a specific duration. For example, "Reading books can effectively occupy your time during a long flight."

Common error

Avoid using "occupy time" when the activity is involuntary or undesired. For instance, instead of saying "Waiting for the bus occupies my time", consider "Waiting for the bus wastes my time" if you feel the activity is unproductive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occupy time" functions as a verb phrase, where "occupy" acts as a transitive verb describing the action of filling or using time. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests how time is being spent or taken up. For instance, "reading novels during games to occupy her time."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occupy time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing how time is spent or filled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science, with a neutral formality suitable for various contexts. Alternatives such as "fill time", "spend time", and "use time" can be used interchangeably depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Use "occupy time" to suggest filling time with an activity, but be mindful of whether the activity is perceived as positive or simply a way to pass the time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fill time

This alternative focuses on using time, similar to "occupy time".

spend time

This alternative highlights how time is devoted to an activity.

use time

This alternative emphasizes the active utilization of time.

take up time

This alternative describes consuming or requiring time for a task.

engage time

This alternative indicates actively involving oneself in an activity for a duration.

invest time

This alternative implies dedicating time to something with the expectation of a return or benefit.

devote time

This alternative suggests setting aside time specifically for a purpose.

allocate time

This alternative means distributing time among different tasks or activities.

consume time

This alternative portrays time as being used up or exhausted.

employ time

This alternative suggests using time purposefully and productively.

FAQs

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

You can use "occupy time" to describe how you spend your time, such as, "I like to knit to "occupy time" on long journeys."

What are some alternatives to "occupy time"?

Alternatives include "fill time", "spend time", or "use time", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "occupy time" or "spend time"?

"Occupy time" can sound slightly more formal, while "spend time" is generally more casual and commonly used.

Can "occupy time" have a negative connotation?

While generally neutral, "occupy time" can imply that something is simply filling time without being particularly productive or enjoyable, depending on the context.