serious time to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious time to" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize the importance of a specific moment or period for action or decision-making. Example: "This is a serious time to consider our options carefully before making a decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He devotes serious time to speeches and campaign strategizing.

The New Yorker

Standard child fears, perhaps, but I devoted serious time to them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's something that's going to take some serious time to materialize," Cashman said.

The New York Times

Watching her cook was a serious time to bond, but catering came out of the blue for me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But if you do decide to hand-craft the look of your site, you'll have to dedicate serious time to learning the controls.

The New York Times

"Everything that could be handled fast, they handled fast and they have made a commitment to devoting some serious time to looking at the more complex problems -- and I hope that those proceedings are open to the public".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Last Friday a new streamlined version was published, with the two officials overseeing it warning the "pace was slow" and there was an "urgent need, owing to serious time constraints, to accelerate the work".

The Guardian

Other days I need to do some self-preservation and recharge my batteries with some serious time devoted to myself or family.

Huffington Post

In the wake of the financial crisis, board members need to devote serious time and resources to their duties, and be willing to question the actions of the C.E.O. and fellow directors.

The New York Times

Only if you have serious time and money to devote to your collection.

Forbes

For the best chance of making it through the SAS selection process, try to devote serious time and energy to getting yourself into tip-top shape before beginning.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious time to", ensure it's part of a larger, idiomatic expression like "dedicate serious time to" or "it's time to get serious about". Avoid using it in isolation.

Common error

Don't use "serious time to" as a direct substitute for phrases like "a significant amount of time" or "ample opportunity". It often sounds incomplete without the proper surrounding context, like a verb such as "dedicate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious time to" functions as a modifier within larger constructions, often indicating the allocation of significant effort or attention. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase may not always be grammatically sound on its own, requiring a supportive verb like "dedicate".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious time to" is a somewhat ambiguous expression that often requires additional context to be grammatically sound. Ludwig AI flags the phrase as potentially incorrect when used in isolation. It commonly appears in expressions such as "dedicate serious time to" or "it's time to get serious about", signaling a commitment to focused effort or highlighting urgency. While found in news and media, its usage varies, sometimes leaning toward a neutral or even informal tone. When aiming for clarity and precision, consider alternatives like "substantial time for" or "considerable time for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial time for

Replaces "serious" with "substantial", emphasizing the amount of time rather than the gravity of the situation.

considerable time for

Similar to "substantial time for", focusing on the quantity of time allocated.

significant time for

Highlights the importance of the time being dedicated.

devote quality time to

Emphasizes the quality of time spent, shifting focus from just quantity.

dedicate ample time to

Combines the idea of dedication with a plentiful amount of time.

urgent moment for

Focuses on the critical nature of a specific point in time, rather than a duration.

crucial period for

Highlights the importance and decisiveness of a time frame.

critical juncture for

Emphasizes that the current point in time is a turning point.

opportune moment to

Suggests the time is right to take action on something.

auspicious time for

Implies that the current time is favorable or promising for a particular activity.

FAQs

How can I use "serious time to" in a sentence?

The phrase "serious time to" typically appears within larger expressions. Examples include "dedicate "serious time to"" or "it's "time to get serious" about something."

What are some alternatives to "serious time to"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives like "substantial time for", "considerable time for", or "significant time for".

Is it grammatically correct to say "serious time to"?

While the phrase appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI suggests it may not always be grammatically sound on its own. It's often better to use it within established expressions or opt for clearer alternatives.

What does it mean to "dedicate serious time to" something?

To "dedicate serious time to" something means to allocate a significant amount of focused effort and attention to it, usually implying a commitment to achieving a specific goal.