setting aside some time

USAGE SUMMARY

"setting aside some time" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about taking out time from a busy schedule in order to do something. For example, "I'm setting aside some time this weekend to organize my home office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A 35-minute train journey from Waterloo, the Tudor palace was an abode to Henry VIII and is one of Britain's most imposing royal residences (it's well worth setting aside some time to explore its grounds while you're there).

The Telegraph

Ways of practicing self-compassion might include nourishing your own happiness, giving yourself permission to experiment as a therapist (rather than having all the answers), taking good care of your physical and emotional health, and setting aside some time each day to send yourself love and compassion even if it's just 10 minutes.

University of California, Berkeley

That means you should "maintain a well-organized office," he writes, commit to "setting aside some time to get away from your desk each day" to take a break, and deal "with employee conflicts in a proactive and timely manner" before the conflicts get worse.

The New York Times

But setting aside some time every week to dig into the business books on your nightstand can give you an edge.

Forbes

Also remember that sometimes an "effective control" doesn't require a huge monetary investment but, rather, setting aside some time to update a security policy or procedure to effectively mitigate a threat.

Forbes

"I've started a running list of improvements to our company operations that I would like work on for 2018 so I plan on setting aside some time to do some brainstorming about how best to roll out these new initiatives," she says.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But set aside some time.

The Guardian

Set aside some time for relaxation every week.

Stanford University

Set aside some time to do both over IAP because the Reform Chavurah is having Shabbat dinner!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Set aside some time to read and understand the benefits of each health plan.

Harvard University

Every Princeton instructor is required to set aside some time each week to meet with students.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning tasks or projects, use "setting aside some time" to emphasize the importance of allocating dedicated, uninterrupted periods for focused work to enhance productivity.

Common error

Avoid using "setting aside some time" loosely; ensure you actually protect that time from interruptions. Otherwise, it becomes a meaningless phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setting aside some time" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of allocating a portion of time for a specific purpose. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "setting aside some time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to denote the act of allocating a specific period for a particular activity. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts ranging from professional to informal. Ludwig's examples highlight its widespread use across News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, solidifying its position as a practical and versatile expression for emphasizing dedicated time management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put aside some time

Changes the verb while retaining a similar meaning to the original phrase.

reserve some time

Suggests pre-planning and keeping time free from other commitments.

allocate some time

This suggests a more formal and deliberate assignment of time.

schedule time for

Highlights the act of placing an activity on a timetable.

dedicate time to

Emphasizes a commitment and focus on a specific activity.

earmark some time

Similar to reserving but can imply a specific purpose.

make time for

Focuses on creating time within an already busy schedule.

find time for

Implies effort in discovering available time.

free up some time

Suggests clearing existing commitments to create time.

carve out some time

Implies effort and precision in extracting time from a busy schedule.

FAQs

How can I use "setting aside some time" in a sentence?

You can use "setting aside some time" to indicate allocating time for a specific purpose. For example, "I am "setting aside some time" this week to work on the presentation".

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

Alternatives include "allocate some time", "make time for", or "dedicate time to", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "setting aside some time" or "set aside some time"?

"Setting aside some time" emphasizes the action of allocating time, while "set aside some time" is the imperative form. The choice depends on the sentence's grammatical structure and intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "setting aside some time" and "finding time"?

"Setting aside some time" implies a deliberate allocation of time, while "finding time" suggests discovering or creating time within an existing schedule. They both denote making time available but with slightly different connotations.