put in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'put in time' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe the effort of spending time and energy to achieve a goal. For example, You will have to put in some extra time to make sure the report is finished by Friday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The rest of us just agreed to put in time.

Yale University

"It gave me a desire to put in time here working with the kids.

The New York Times

That's a great feeling when you improve, but you have to put in time.

The Guardian - Film

They stay late at the office, check their email at all hours, and even put in time on the weekends.

Harvard Business Review

He put in time as a clerk in bookstores, and discovered the work of self-destructive writers like Jean Genet and Arthur Rimbaud.

The New York Times - Books

He was a writer, you see, not a husband, or a father; [looking back] you see a pattern of him not being able to put in time.

The Guardian - Books

Many adults have put in time with the city's youth sports programs at some point, and sports have long filled residents with pride.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it also should inspire them not to overshare or spam, otherwise they could be put in time-out.

TechCrunch

A monk seal was put in time-out after biting two divers in Hawaii.

HuffPost

We are a month past my little experiment and she has been put in time-out several times since then, despite my best intentions.

Huffington Post

In conclusion, the high expectations in terms of QoL put in time-consuming, advanced technical skills for LSS by patients and physicians could not be confirmed in this study.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put in time", ensure it's followed by a clear indication of the activity or goal. For instance, "put in time studying" or "put in time at the gym" clarifies the purpose of the time investment.

Common error

Avoid using "put in time" without specifying the context. Saying "I need to put in time" lacks clarity. Instead, be specific: "I need to put in time practicing the piano."

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "put in time" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of dedicating time and effort towards a specific activity or goal. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is a common expression used to describe the effort of spending time to achieve something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put in time" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase used to describe dedicating effort and energy towards a specific activity. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use. The phrase carries a neutral formality and is often found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. To use the phrase effectively, ensure you specify the context or activity to which time is being dedicated. Remember that dedicating "devote time" and "dedicate time" are semantically similar alternatives. This usage guide provides insights into using "put in time" with clarity and confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devote time

Indicates a strong commitment and dedication of time.

dedicate time

Focuses more on the conscious allocation of time for a specific purpose.

allocate time

Highlights the planned distribution of time among different activities.

invest time

Emphasizes the expectation of a return or benefit from the time spent.

contribute time

Suggests offering time as a contribution to a larger effort or cause.

spend time

A more general term for allocating time to something, without necessarily implying effort or purpose.

work at

Implies sustained effort and dedication over time.

put in effort

Shifts the focus from time to the exertion of effort, though often time is implied.

apply oneself

Highlights the conscious and focused application of one's skills and abilities.

exert oneself

Emphasizes the strenuous effort and energy expended.

FAQs

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

You can use "put in time" to describe dedicating effort and energy to a specific task or activity. For example, "He had to "put in time" at the library to finish his research paper".

What's a good alternative to "put in time"?

Alternatives to "put in time" include "dedicate time", "invest time", or "devote time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "put in time" or "spend time"?

While both phrases relate to time allocation, "put in time" typically implies dedicated effort towards a goal, while "spend time" is more general. Using "put in time" suggests working diligently, whereas "spend time" might simply refer to leisure or less structured activities.

What does it mean to "put in time"?

To "put in time" means to dedicate a certain amount of time and effort to something, usually with the expectation of achieving a specific result or improvement. It implies a conscious effort to work on a task or skill.