patches of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patches of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe specific intervals or segments of time that are distinct or separate from one another. Example: "During the patches of time when I was alone, I found myself reflecting on my life choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Since the appointment of Mr. Thain in January, Mr. Reed has been an infrequent presence at the stock exchange, spending patches of time at his retreat on an island off the coast of France and resuming in some form, his previous life as a retired executive.

The New York Times

I can work for a few hours a morning, return when I have patches of time, and make headway.

Vice

It is important to carve out patches of time to allow for understanding and processing the information you have consumed.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this scene, and in several others, Mr. Smith shakes off the burden of his performance -- the nearly impossible task of creating, from within, one of the most visible and familiar personages of recent popular culture -- and locates his character not in history, but in a particular patch of time and space.

The New York Times

Of course, it's a small crowd, low on diversity; we're stuck in much the same patch of time and space that was colonized by earlier Baumbach projects, and people's throwaway talk betrays their entitlement: "Where's the gourmet hummus?"; "We didn't budget for the saltwater pool"; and the terrifying "Maureen's cooking shark".

The New Yorker

Yet more than that, it is also a brief patch of time where going out retained its sense of rebellion.

Vice

Sure, this small patch of time didn't have any of that late-1990s optimism, but neither was it burdened by the gradual, creeping dread that spread through Western civilisation through the mid to late noughties.

Vice

One night stands, deciding to get a tattoo of the word "serendipity", that brief patch of time where we were all convinced Gavin and Stacey was really good these things all happen.

Vice

John Higgs, author of The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band That Burned a Million Quid, has decided to address some of these less covered 20th-century developments in his new book, Stranger Than We Can Imagine: Making Sense of The Twentieth Century, an alternative history of this weird and wild patch of time that we've just clambered out of.

Vice

In this regard, 93% of adolescents reported that they remembered to apply the patches on time, and 40% of them stated that its use was easier than that of previous contraceptive methods [ 22].

BMC Women's Health

As with other patches of the time, the rank badges were embroidered onto rolls of fabric and then cut.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "patches of time", ensure the context clearly indicates these are distinct, non-continuous intervals rather than a single, extended period. For example: "I work on the project in "patches of time" between meetings."

Common error

Avoid using "patches of time" when referring to a continuous or consistent duration. If the time is uninterrupted, consider "period of time" or "stretch of time" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patches of time" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb or another noun, describing when an action occurs or a state exists. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often refers to time spent on activities in a fragmented manner.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patches of time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe distinct, non-continuous intervals, as validated by Ludwig. While its frequency is rare, the phrase is found in news, wiki and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "segments of time" and "intervals of time". When using this expression, ensure it accurately reflects the fragmented nature of the time being described to avoid any confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

segments of time

Focuses on distinct portions of time, similar to "patches of time".

intervals of time

Emphasizes the measured duration between two points in time.

periods of time

Refers to specific durations with a defined start and end.

blocks of time

Suggests time allocated for a specific purpose or activity.

spells of time

Implies a continuous, though perhaps limited, duration.

portions of time

Highlights that time is being divided or shared.

allotments of time

Suggests a specific amount of time assigned for a particular task.

measures of time

Indicates quantifiable segments or durations.

chunks of time

Informal way of referencing periods, typically bigger than "patches of time".

slices of time

Focuses on thin segments, usually referring to the recent past.

FAQs

How can I use "patches of time" in a sentence?

You can use "patches of time" to describe distinct, separate intervals of time. For instance, "He only works on his novel in "patches of time" when he's free from other commitments."

What are some alternatives to "patches of time"?

Consider using "segments of time", "intervals of time", or "periods of time" as alternatives depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "patches of time" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "patches of time" might be more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, "discrete intervals" or "specific periods" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "patches of time" and "segments of time"?

"Patches of time" often implies smaller, less structured blocks, while "segments of time" can refer to more defined or organized divisions of time.