used time

USAGE SUMMARY

"used time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to the time allocated for a particular activity or task and can be used in the present or past tense. For example, "I'm trying to finish this project before I use up all the time I have available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The Icarus metaphor is used time and again.

The Guardian

Integration scheme used time step of 10−14 s.

Nature

If only the producers had used time travel for the benefit of mankind.

The Guardian - Film

The decoy is used time and again until it ceases to be effective.

The Guardian - Opinion

These models used time (month) as a fixed factor and body size as the dependent variable.

Nature

This method has been used time and again, including by our own troops in Iraq.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

They used time-tested technology.

The Washington Post

He used time-lapse photography to slow down or speed up the movement of plants.

The New Yorker

Yes, the Communists used time-honored and terrifying interrogation tactics during the cold war.

The New York Times

Commonly used time-sharing techniques include multiprocessing, parallel operation, and multiprogramming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On-treatment analyses used time-dependent covariates to account for all crossovers.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research methodologies, clearly state how you "used time" as a variable or factor, providing specific details about measurement and analysis techniques.

Common error

Avoid using "used time" when a more specific term like "duration", "period", or "interval" would provide greater clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used time" functions as a verb phrase where "used" acts as the main verb and "time" as the direct object. This indicates the action of employing or consuming time for a specific purpose. Ludwig shows various examples in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "used time" is a grammatically correct and common phrase that describes the action of allocating or consuming time for a specific purpose. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. When writing, it's essential to be precise about how time was measured or employed, and to avoid vague references. Related phrases like ""spent time"" or ""allocated time"" can offer greater clarity, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spent time

Focuses on the action of allocating time to an activity.

allocated time

Emphasizes the formal distribution or assignment of time.

invested time

Highlights the potential return or benefit from using time.

dedicated time

Implies a strong commitment to using time for a specific purpose.

employed time

Stresses the active and purposeful application of time.

consumed time

Suggests that time has been used up, often with a negative connotation.

maximized time

Focuses on using time efficiently to achieve the best possible results.

budgeted time

Highlights the planning and allocation of time as a limited resource.

scheduled time

Emphasizes the planned order and arrangement of time slots.

found time

Suggests time was carved out or unexpectedly became available.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "used time" in a research paper?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "spent time", "allocated time", or "employed time" to provide more specific meaning.

What does it mean to say that a method "used time" as a factor?

It generally implies that time was a variable in the analysis, such as measuring changes over time or using time as a predictor in a statistical model. The specific meaning depends on the context.

Is it better to say "utilized time" or "used time"?

"Used time" is generally more common and natural in most contexts. "Utilized time" is more formal and might be appropriate in technical or business writing, but it isn't necessarily better.

How do you measure "used time" in project management?

In project management, "used time" can be measured by tracking the actual time "spent on" tasks, comparing it to the estimated or planned time, and identifying any variances or delays.