to set aside time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to set aside time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of reserving or dedicating a specific period for a particular activity or purpose. Example: "I need to set aside time this weekend to work on my project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Make Sure to Set Aside Time for Yourself.

Huffington Post

Although a seemingly minor issue, busy providers may find it challenging to set aside time during busy clinic days to develop such materials.

BMC Health Services Research

To this end, be sure to set aside time as soon as possible to test your new unit out as much as you can before your return policy runs out.

WikiHow

They want to set aside time for a more cultural experience".

The New York Times - Travel

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

As well as writing a list of what you plan to do it might also be a good idea to set aside time to get it done.

The Guardian

The Pope said "consumerism has brought us anxiety", and told parents to set aside time to play with their children and turn of the TV when they sit down to eat. 5. Sundays should be holidays.

Independent

Working to meet the continuous hard deadlines of a weekly magazine, it can be a challenge to set aside time and space for free thinking about art outside of an editorial context.

The New Yorker

It's a good idea to set aside time each week to discuss personal finance.

Forbes

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

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project management, clearly "to set aside time" in the timeline for unexpected delays or issues. This increases the likelihood of completing the project on schedule.

Common error

Avoid packing your schedule so tightly that you don't "to set aside time" for unexpected interruptions. This can lead to stress and decreased productivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to set aside time" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to indicate the act of allocating or reserving a specific period for a particular activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

26%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to set aside time" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of allocating or reserving time for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. It's particularly common in contexts like News & Media and Wiki, but appropriate across various levels of formality. When using this phrase, consider alternatives such as "to allocate time" or "to make time" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to plan realistically and to schedule more time than you think you need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make time

Suggests creating time in a busy schedule, implying effort and prioritization.

to allocate time

Focuses on the formal distribution of time for specific purposes.

to reserve time

Emphasizes holding time for a particular use, preventing it from being used otherwise.

to find time

Indicates discovering or identifying available time, often implying a search.

to carve out time

Emphasizes the effort to extract time from a busy schedule, often for something important.

to schedule time

Implies a structured planning of time, often involving appointments or deadlines.

to dedicate time

Highlights committing time to a specific activity, often suggesting a strong commitment.

to free up time

Focuses on releasing time from existing commitments, making it available for new activities.

to earmark time

Similar to "reserve", but suggests assigning time for a very specific task or purpose.

to budget time

Treats time as a resource and plans its usage carefully, similar to budgeting money.

FAQs

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

You can use "to set aside time" to express the need to reserve or allocate time for a specific activity. For example, "It's important to set aside time for exercise each week".

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

Alternatives include "to allocate time", "to make time", or "to schedule time" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are correct, but "to make time" often implies creating time in a busy schedule, while "to set aside time" suggests reserving time from an existing schedule.

What's the difference between "to set aside time" and "to reserve time"?

"To set aside time" is a more general term, while "to reserve time" suggests specifically holding time and preventing it from being used for other purposes.