set aside time to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set aside time to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the intention to reserve a specific period for a particular activity or task. Example: "I need to set aside time to prepare for the upcoming presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have set aside time to carry out activities that did nothing obviously useful.

The Guardian - Arts

After the war Dr. Friedman set aside time to serve as a medical consultant to assist returning veterans.

The New York Times

And I made sure that every day we set aside time to fling the toy mice around the living room.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the live-video effort forces you not only to leave the stream but to set aside time to watch.

The New Yorker

If they, too, are overwhelmed, she says, we will have to set aside time to handle it on our return.

The New York Times

Set aside time to connect with them at meetings.

Science Magazine

"The key is to set aside time to consider whether there's a better way".

BBC

Arguably, such real-time teaching will itself involve interruption and multitasking to set aside time to debrief the resident.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

He said programme makers "should set aside time" to talk to lawyers and check claims, adding "that's exactly what's happening with this programme".

BBC

Business leaders who set aside time to establish targets and evaluate achievement against those targets are ultimately better equipped to measure success.

Forbes

Set aside time to remember the choice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling activities, be realistic about how long each task will take. Overestimating can lead to stress, while underestimating can cause delays. Accurately assessing time requirements is essential to effectively "set aside time to" complete tasks.

Common error

Avoid tightly packing your schedule without accounting for unforeseen delays or unexpected interruptions. Always "set aside time to" handle contingencies, ensuring flexibility and preventing schedule disruptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set aside time to" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intention or plan to allocate time for a specific activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a perfectly valid construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set aside time to" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express the intention of dedicating time to a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is frequently found in news, media, and wiki contexts, reflecting a neutral register suitable for both professional and informal settings. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "allocate time for" or "make time for" depending on the desired emphasis. Remember to account for buffer time in your schedule to avoid disruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allocate time for

Focuses more on the act of allocation, suggesting a deliberate distribution of time.

make time for

Emphasizes the effort required to find or create time in a busy schedule.

dedicate time to

Implies a more significant commitment or a higher priority for the activity.

reserve time for

Suggests a formal or planned allocation of time, often in advance.

schedule time for

Highlights the act of planning and adding the activity to a calendar.

find time to

Focuses on discovering or creating moments within an existing schedule.

carve out time for

Suggests carefully extracting time from a busy schedule, often with difficulty.

make room in your schedule for

Focuses on creating space within a pre-existing schedule.

prioritize time for

Highlights the act of giving something a higher importance in one's schedule.

plan time to

Stresses the importance of incorporating the activity into one's schedule and planning for it.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "set aside time to" in a sentence?

Use "set aside time to" when you want to express the intention of reserving or dedicating a specific period for a particular activity. For example, "I need to "set aside time to" prepare for the upcoming presentation".

What are some alternatives to "set aside time to"?

You can use alternatives like "allocate time for", "make time for", or "dedicate time to" depending on the context.

Is it better to "set aside time to" or "make time to"?

Both ""set aside time to"" and "make time to" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Set aside time to" implies a deliberate reservation of time, whereas "make time to" suggests creating time in a busy schedule.

How does "set aside time to" differ from "find time to"?

"Set aside time to" implies planning and reserving time in advance, while "find time to" suggests discovering or creating moments within an existing schedule. The former is proactive, the latter is more reactive.