race against time

USAGE SUMMARY

"race against time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where one must act quickly in order to accomplish something. For example, "I'm in a race against time to finish my project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A race against time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Introduction: a race against time?

Stanford University

"It's a race against time for me.

The New York Times - Sports

It will be a race against time.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a desperate race against time.

The Guardian - Books

"It's a kind of race against time".

The New York Times

This is a race against time.

The Guardian

"It's a race against time," she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was a race against time.

The New York Times

It sure sounds like a race against time.

The Washington Post

He made a railroad race against time.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, be clear about what is at stake if the 'race' is not won. Highlighting the potential consequences adds weight to the sense of urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "race against time" casually. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Ensure the situation truly warrants a sense of urgency and that real consequences are involved, not just minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "race against time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes a situation characterized by urgency and the need to complete a task before a critical deadline. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "race against time" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a sense of urgency and high stakes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. It's particularly frequent in News & Media sources, reflecting its ability to capture real-world situations where deadlines and consequences loom large. When writing, remember that using a similar phrase as this can enrich your vocabulary. Finally, always ensure the situation warrants such an expression by guaranteeing the consequences of failing the race, as well as using alternatives depending on the emphasis you want to put on the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scramble against time

Emphasizes a hurried and disorganized effort to meet a deadline, differing from the more structured implication of "race against time".

dash against the clock

Implies a quick burst of effort to finish something before time runs out, focusing on speed.

battle against the deadline

Highlights the struggle and potential conflict involved in meeting a time constraint.

sprint to the finish line

Suggests a final, intense push to complete a task before a set time, often used in project management.

beat the clock

A more informal phrase that means to succeed in doing something before a deadline.

urgent endeavor

Focuses on the pressing need to complete a task quickly, downplaying the competitive aspect.

time-sensitive task

A more formal way to describe something that must be done quickly, emphasizing the importance of timing.

hasty completion

Implies that speed is prioritized, even if it means sacrificing some quality, which is a subtle difference from simply trying to meet a deadline.

fast-track

Describes an effort to accelerate a process or project, highlighting the efficient use of time.

expedited process

Similar to 'fast-track', but emphasizes the formal or procedural aspects of accelerating a task.

FAQs

How can I use "race against time" in a sentence?

You can use "race against time" to describe any situation where something needs to be done urgently before a deadline. For instance, "The doctors were in a race against time to find a cure before the epidemic spread further."

What's a good alternative to "race against time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "scramble against time", "dash against the clock", or "urgent endeavor" to convey a similar sense of urgency.

Is "race against time" formal or informal?

"Race against time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is widely understood and used in news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations.

What makes "race against time" different from other expressions of urgency?

"Race against time" specifically emphasizes the competitive aspect of meeting a deadline, implying that there are significant stakes involved. It's more than just needing to hurry; there's a sense of impending negative consequences if the 'race' is lost.