on the timer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the timer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is being measured or controlled by a timer, often in contexts related to cooking, exercise, or time management. Example: "Make sure to check the pasta when it's on the timer to avoid overcooking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

By the end of the 67-minute premiere on Wednesday night — major spoiler alerts ahead — he has jump-started an Irish call center employee's singing career, saved the lives of the children on a burning school bus in New Jersey, salvaged the marriage of a bereft British couple and kept a boy in the Middle East from detonating his suicide vest (with one second left on the timer).

The New York Times - Arts

Switch on the timer and one of you gets a mean shock.

TechCrunch

Click on the timer to pause it.

The New Yorker

If you press too hard, the lights turn red, the bristles slow down and an unhappy face scolds you on the timer.

The Guardian - Tech

American officials are worried that Mr Bout's defence team will run out the clock on the timer set by the August 20th ruling; a quick hearing of the outstanding charges suits the prosecution.

The Economist

A hard press on the timer icon pops up shortcuts to common timer lengths, while the torch icon lets you choose brightness and the camera icon lets you jump to video or selfie mode.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The instrument was modified by placing a landing cushion on the platform of the timer stop switch.

BMC Physiology

Turning on the self-timer will give that motion a little time to damp.

WikiHow

Test your set up by turning the faucet on, turning the timer on, and checking to be sure water is coming out where you need it to.

WikiHow

"And when summer comes, they turn on the timers on their watering systems and just let them run.

The New York Times

Click on the "Timers" drop-down menu, then click on "Countdown to Any Date".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "on the timer", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured or controlled by the timer. For example, "The cake is on the timer for 30 minutes" is clearer than "The cake is on the timer."

Common error

Avoid using "on the timer" when the subject being timed is unclear. Instead of saying "It's on the timer", specify what 'it' refers to: "The experiment is on the timer."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the timer" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase. Ludwig examples show it describes the state of something being actively measured or controlled by a timer, indicating a timed process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the timer" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to indicate that something is currently being timed or measured. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage across various contexts, including news, media, science, and wiki sources. While the phrase is versatile, it is important to ensure clarity regarding the subject being timed to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "subject to the timer" or "controlled by the timer" can provide greater precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controlled by the timer

Similar to 'governed by', but focuses on the timer's role in controlling a process.

governed by the timer

Highlights the control that the timer exerts.

subject to the timer

Emphasizes that something is controlled or influenced by the timer.

dependent on the timer

Highlights the relationship between the event and timer.

according to the timer

Describes actions taken as the timer elapses.

timed operation

Focuses on the operation being governed by a timer, instead of the state of something being "on" it.

while the timer is running

Describes an ongoing process during timer operation.

as timed

Simplifies the expression using "as", implying that something happens in sync with the timer.

when the timer activates

Focuses on when the timer starts.

upon timer activation

Formal alternative focusing on the point of timer initiation.

FAQs

How can I use "on the timer" in a sentence?

Use "on the timer" to indicate something is being timed or measured. For example, "The cookies are "on the timer" for 12 minutes" means the cookies are cooking for 12 minutes.

What does "on the timer" mean?

It means that a specific duration is being tracked, and the process or object is subject to this timed duration. The phrase "on the timer" signifies that something's duration is being measured or controlled.

Is it correct to say "using the timer" instead of "on the timer"?

Yes, "using the timer" is a valid alternative. While "on the timer" indicates something is currently being timed, "using the timer" simply refers to the act of employing a timer. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "on the timer" and "set on the timer"?

"On the timer" implies a process is currently running with a timer. "Set on the timer" means a timer has been configured for a specific duration. For instance, "The oven is set on the timer" describes the programmed appliance, whereas "The cake is on the timer" describes the process.