regain time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regain time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to make up for or recover lost or wasted time. For example, "I used an app to help me regain time and accomplish all my tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But the incentive of the long time trial at the end, in which he knew he could gain or regain time, meant he had a concrete goal to structure his race, and indeed his season, around.

The Guardian - Sport

Quintana, who is a renowned for his climbing ability, was expected attack on stage 12 to regain time on Froome.

BBC

Every piece you own is a chance to regain time and/or money if you sell it or give it away.

BBC

As a small-business owner, it's a no-brainer that relying on purpose-specific tools rather than manual processes will help you regain time.

Forbes

It is rare that one gets a chance to regain time.

Huffington Post

The modified temperature index model (MTIM) accurately predicted salt-induced melt (R2 = 0.98 and 0.99, RMSE = 19.9 and 282.4 m3, CRM = −0.003 and 0.006 for calibration and validation sites respectively), and showed a demonstrable ability to calculate the Bare Pavement Regain Time (BPRT).

Journal of Hydrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

After losing valuable seconds on a climb during this year's Tour of Switzerland, Peter Sagan of Cannondale regained time by descending aggressively.

The New York Times - Sports

* Merlin Mann has popularized the idea of Inbox Zero, and detailed his methods for regaining time and productivity by breaking email's grip.

Huffington Post

"As the title of Proust's life's work - 'In Search of Lost Time' - suggests, time is the central preoccupation here: time lost, time regained, time needed, time elapsed, remembered, lived and experienced.

Huffington Post

The period of time in min from involuntary recumbency until the cow had regained blood free calcium concentration of 1.00 mmol/L was defined as Calcium Regaining Time (CRT).

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

For each $1 invested, the economic rate of return in regained time at work and school, time saved at home by not hauling water, increased productivity, and reduced health costs would be as much as $8, in addition to the direct health benefits.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "regain time" in project management, prioritize tasks by urgency and impact to maximize productivity. This ensures efforts are focused on the most critical areas first.

Common error

Don't assume that you can "regain time" in all situations. Focus on mitigating future losses and optimizing current efforts, rather than dwelling on unrecoverable past delays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regain time" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "regain" is the verb and "time" is the direct object. It describes the action of recovering or making up for time that was previously lost or wasted. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

15%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "regain time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the act of recovering or compensating for lost or wasted time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's particularly prevalent in contexts like News & Media, Science, and Academia, reflecting its relevance across diverse fields. While alternatives such as "recover lost time" or "make up for lost time" exist, "regain time" effectively conveys a sense of proactive effort to mitigate past losses and improve future time management. When using this phrase, focus on practical strategies to optimize current efforts, rather than dwelling on the unrecoverable past. By prioritizing tasks and understanding the scope of what's achievable, you can effectively "regain time" and enhance productivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recover lost time

Emphasizes the act of getting back time that was previously lost.

make up for lost time

Highlights compensating for time that has been missed.

recapture time

Implies regaining something valuable that was taken away.

get back on schedule

Focuses on returning to a planned timeline after falling behind.

catch up

A more general term for reaching the required level after a delay.

compensate for delays

Addresses making up for lateness by improving performance.

turn back the clock

Suggests reversing the effects of time, often in a metaphorical sense.

buy time

Focuses on delaying an event to gain more time.

save time

Highlights avoiding wasting any time.

redeem time

Suggests using time wisely to make up for past idleness or mistakes.

FAQs

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

You can use "regain time" to describe efforts to recover from delays or use time more efficiently. For example, "The athlete trained harder to "regain time" lost due to injury."

What are some alternatives to "regain time"?

Alternatives to "regain time" include "recover lost time", "make up for lost time", or "recapture time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it possible to truly "regain time", or is it just a figure of speech?

While you can't literally go back in time, "regain time" is used to express the idea of compensating for lost time through increased efficiency, productivity, or focus.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "regain time"?

The phrase "regain time" is appropriate in contexts where there's been a setback or delay, and efforts are being made to catch up or compensate. This can apply to personal projects, sports, business, or any situation where time management is crucial.