time clash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time clash" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to when two activities or commitments overlap in time. For example, "I have a time clash this afternoon — I have a meeting at 4pm and a doctor's appointment at 4:30."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

P21 The Times David Cameron avoids Question Time clash with Brexit's big hitters.

The Guardian

Major Lazer is performing in Sydney on the same night as Swift; if they can work out the time clash, and if Swift can find forgiveness in her heart, an appearance on stage might serve to both bury the hatchet and align their rising stars.

The Guardian - Music

Improvements in data security will from time to time clash with certain companies' interests and, as a result, lead them to make unfounded accusations against their competitors".

TechCrunch

He will maintain an enormous private financial interest that could at any time clash with American interests.

Huffington Post

Despite a set time clash with his boss Jamie Jones, Patrick Topping, who has risen to stratospheric heights since releasing on Hot Creations, packed the second room with ease.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Karimov blamed the I.M.U. for the 1999 Tashkent bombings, and its forces, which numbered several hundred at the time, clashed with Uzbek troops in the summer of 2000.

The New Yorker

The Magic Weekend derby between Hull FC and Hull KR will take place as planned, despite the kick-off time clashing with Hull City's FA Cup final appearance.

BBC

According to the report, Jared had, from time to time, clashed with Corey Lewandowski who had been Mr. Trump's campaign manager.

Huffington Post

This week, in his first question-time clash with Tony Blair in the Commons, Iain Duncan Smith lived down to expectations.

The Economist

Activism is a noble cause that, at times, clash with the powers that be who possess little or no appetite to be engaged critically with certain level of scrutiny and transparency.

Huffington Post

The problem is that the best time-clash jokes — Barnabas catching sight of Karen Carpenter as she sings "Top of the World" on TV, and ripping out the back of the set with a cry of "Reveal yourself, tiny songstress!" — were all in the trailer, and I envy those viewers who, by sheer luck, have managed not to see it before they go to the movie.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "time clash", ensure the context clearly indicates which events or commitments are conflicting. Providing specific details helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "time clash" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "schedule conflict" or "time conflict" in professional or academic writing to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time clash" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it is a valid and usable English phrase. It identifies a situation where two scheduled events overlap.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Music

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time clash" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe overlapping schedules or conflicting events. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's relatively rare, often appearing in news and media contexts. For formal situations, consider using alternatives like "schedule conflict" or "time conflict". The phrase effectively conveys the inconvenience of scheduling conflicts, ensuring clear communication when discussing such issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time conflict

Synonymous, simply replacing "clash" with "conflict."

time overlap

Directly states that the times of two or more events coincide.

schedule conflict

Replaces "time" with "schedule", focusing on the arrangement of events.

scheduling overlap

Similar to "schedule conflict", but uses "overlap" to describe the issue.

overlapping schedules

Describes the situation directly, indicating that schedules are not aligned.

conflicting appointments

Specifically refers to appointments that cannot be attended due to time overlap.

double booking

Implies that the same time slot has been allocated to two different events or people.

event overlap

Highlights that two events are planned for the same time.

simultaneous events

Indicates events happening at the same time, potentially causing a conflict.

competing commitments

Emphasizes the commitments that cannot be fulfilled due to timing.

FAQs

What does "time clash" mean?

A "time clash" refers to a situation where two or more events or commitments are scheduled for the same time, making it impossible to attend or fulfill all of them.

What's a more formal way to say "time clash"?

For formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "schedule conflict", "time conflict", or "overlapping schedules".

How can I avoid a "time clash"?

To avoid a "time clash", carefully review your schedule before committing to new events or appointments. Use a calendar or scheduling tool to visualize your commitments and identify potential conflicts.

Is "time clash" the same as "double booking"?

While similar, "time clash" is a general term for overlapping schedules. "Double booking" specifically implies that someone has mistakenly scheduled the same time slot for two different things.