time in use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time in use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the duration that something has been actively utilized or employed. Example: "The device has a total time in use of over 500 hours, indicating its reliability and performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

You are also charged a prorated fee on your contract for the time in use, a $35 restocking fee and any extra charges.

The New York Times - Tech

From the perspective of the circular economy, environmental considerations should, for example, increasingly entail product's use phase not only to increase product's energy-efficiency, but also to prolong the time in use.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Motor vehicles can spend more time in use, with less human error, but there will be no human operator to share in the gains.At the same time labour markets are hollowing out, polarising into high- and low-skill occupations, with very little employment in the middle.

The Economist

Clinical medication keeps an enormously broad range of drug molecules at this time in use, and new drugs are added to the list every year.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping styles improved over time in use and effectiveness in the intervention group, whereas little or no change occurred in these coping behaviors in the control group.

Duke University

Based on tests at Shoeburyness in October 1861 when the Warrior was launched, it "was practically invulnerable to the ordnance at the time in use".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Howard said these could help ease the burden on the Grid and cut energy bills because suppliers could offer "time-in-use" tariffs that charge customers based partly on when they use their energy.

The Guardian - Business

He lost no time in using his special powers.

The New Yorker

Actually, the Yankees are wasting no time in using Mr. Rodriguez as a marketing tool.

The New York Times

Caregivers reported that participants spent more time in using the computers, but still needed occasional guidance.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Washington has wasted precious time in using diplomatic, economic and military levers to influence the course of events in Syria.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing product lifespan or reliability, use "time in use" to clearly specify the duration of active operation, as opposed to shelf life or storage time.

Common error

Avoid using "time in use" when you actually mean "time-of-use" billing, which refers to energy tariffs that vary based on when energy is consumed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time in use" primarily functions as a noun phrase specifying the duration of activity or operation. It's often used to quantify how long something has been actively functioning. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time in use" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to specify the duration something has been actively operating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure to differentiate it from "time-of-use" billing. Consider alternatives like "duration of use" or "operational time" to add variety to your language. Remember, using "time in use" accurately helps provide clarity when discussing performance, lifespan, or efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duration of use

Replaces "time" with "duration", emphasizing the length of usage.

usage time

Inverts the word order to create a more concise version.

period of utilization

Substitutes both "time" and "use" with more formal synonyms, conveying a sense of formal or technical application.

in-service time

Highlights the duration something is actively providing a service or function.

operational time

Replaces "use" with "operational", specifically relevant for machinery or systems in operation.

length of operation

Emphasizes the measurement of how long something has been operating.

service life

Implies the total time a product or component is expected to function adequately.

runtime

Refers to the amount of time a program or process is running.

active period

Focuses on the active or functioning duration, applicable to processes or equipment.

working hours

Focuses specifically on the time something is used during work or business activities.

FAQs

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

You can use "time in use" to refer to the duration that something has been actively utilized, such as "The device has a total "time in use" of over 500 hours."

What is a good alternative to "time in use"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "duration of use", "period of utilization", or "usage time".

Is "time in use" grammatically correct?

Yes, "time in use" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the duration of something's active operation.

What's the difference between "time in use" and "time of use"?

"Time in use" refers to the duration that something has been used, while "time of use" typically refers to a specific schedule or period when something is used, often in the context of energy consumption or billing.