spare some time

USAGE SUMMARY

"spare some time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to having free time available to do something. For example, "I need to finish my project, so I'm going to have to spare some time this weekend to work on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

With all his title design jobs, though, he'll first need to learn how to spare some time for himself.

Columbia University

If a student approaches you it's because they think you can help, so spare some time however busy you are.

The Guardian

The couple are going to Elton John's charity premier of Billy Elliot, on Broadway, but can spare some time.

The Guardian - Books

"Although I am very busy and I do not have the time to use the internet everyday, I try to spare some time to do it.

The Guardian

After introducing myself and mentioning one of her articles on freelancing, I wrote: "I can only imagine how busy you are and so I know this may be a big request, but if you could spare some time for coffee and some advice, I can't tell you what it would mean to me.

The New York Times

But then the characters open their mouths and start going on about minutes and hours, clocks and watches, and their time running out and not having enough time and where's my time, don't waste my time, that time will get you killed, brother can you spare some time because, well, I'm all out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Here are five lessons I've learned that might spare you some time and grief -- and help you build the AI startup you're shooting for.

Forbes

I would highly appreciate, if you could spare some of your valuable time and help me in solving it.

Yale University

Overall, the economy is likely to be operating with a degree of spare capacity for some time yet.

The Guardian

In your spare time, spend some time looking at productivity blogs such as Steve Pavlina's website, Time Management Ninja or Life Optimizer.

WikiHow

They took away the checks and balances that she believes would have spared the Times some embarrassing stories about Saddam Hussein's alleged weapons.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting someone's time, be specific about the purpose and duration. This helps them assess if they can realistically "spare some time".

Common error

Avoid using "spare some time" without context. Instead of saying, "Can you spare some time?" specify what you need the time for: "Can you spare some time to review this report?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spare some time" functions as a verb phrase, often used in requests or inquiries about someone's availability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, mirroring the numerous examples found across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spare some time" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to inquire about someone's availability. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for various contexts. It's crucial to provide context when making such a request to ensure clarity and respect the recipient's time. While alternatives like ""make time"" or ""allocate time"" exist, "spare some time" remains a direct and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make time

This alternative is a more general way of expressing the act of finding time.

find time

This alternative emphasizes the effort to locate available time within a schedule.

set aside time

This alternative highlights the action of reserving time for a specific purpose.

allocate time

This alternative is more formal and suggests a planned distribution of time.

free up time

This alternative focuses on creating time by removing other obligations.

dedicate time

This alternative emphasizes committing time to a particular activity.

invest time

This alternative views time as a resource used for a valuable purpose.

carve out time

This alternative suggests a more deliberate and perhaps difficult effort to find time.

release time

This alternative focuses on providing an individual time off from other duties.

afford time

This alternative suggests that is possible to dedicate time to something.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "spare some time"?

You can politely ask by saying, "Would you be able to "make time" to discuss this matter?" or "Could you "set aside time" for a brief meeting?".

What's a more formal way to ask someone to "spare some time"?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "Could you "allocate time" in your schedule for this?" or "Would it be possible to "dedicate time" to this project?".

Is it correct to say "can you spare me some time"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say "can you spare me some time". It's a common way to ask someone if they have available time to give you.

What's the difference between "spare some time" and "have some time"?

"Spare some time" implies giving a portion of your time to someone or something else, while "have some time" simply refers to possessing available time. You might "have some time" but not be willing to "spare some time" for a specific request.