vacant time

USAGE SUMMARY

"vacant time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to any extra or unoccupied time in someone's schedule. For example, "I plan to fill my vacant time this summer with some new hobbies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They sign on weekly for however many half-hour sessions they want, filling out what would otherwise be vacant time.

The New York Times

In 1993, after David Letterman moved his late-night talk show to CBS, NBC hired O'Brien to fill the vacant time slot.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet quickly grabbed the vacant time slots left on the War Memorial Opera House's calendar.

Huffington Post

Vacant time (vt) and waiting time (wt) variables are calculated in equations (17) and (18), respectively.

BMC Health Services Research

Having the same number of surgeons as ORs meant that the cost increased from €3,650 to €4,083 €1,8000 for overtime and €2,283 for vacant time).

BMC Health Services Research

We present a MILP model for this particular problem with the aim of minimizing the total surgical cost denoted by the overtime cost (CO), vacant time cost (CV), and waiting time cost (CW) in equation (1).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Drawing inspiration from the inevitable delusions of everyday American life, Rogue, his longtime bandmate Pat Spurgeon, and their fellow members have returned reinvigorated, and with a fresh sound founded on the art of patience, the fearlessness of experimenting, and the unbridled joy of creating something meaningful to help us navigate through these vacant times.

University of California, Berkeley

On Oct. 2, the State of Connecticut, which owns the long-vacant Times building on Prospect Street, across from the museum on Main Street, terminated the lease and returned the $2.5 million the Wadsworth paid in 2004 to secure the deal.

The New York Times

A result is a fresh, cleaned-out, contemporary air that feels a little vacant, but time will tell.

The New York Times - Arts

The appointment makes 39-year-old Cohen an early contender for the director general's job when it falls vacant next time round.

The Guardian

As the new chief operating officer, Mr. Nicholas will be filling a position that has been vacant at Time since 1980, but one the company apparently felt it was now important to fill as its dealings have grown financially more complex.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing operational efficiency, use "vacant time" to highlight periods where resources like operating rooms or personnel are not being utilized effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "vacant time" and "waiting time" interchangeably. "Vacant time" refers to a period where a resource is available but unused, whereas "waiting time" refers to a period when someone or something is delayed before being used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vacant time" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe periods of inactivity or availability within a schedule or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing unoccupied slots.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vacant time" is a grammatically sound noun phrase referring to unoccupied or available periods. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English and that it's often used in the contexts of News & Media and Science. While "vacant time" is a valid term, consider alternatives like "spare time" or "idle time" depending on the context. When discussing resource allocation or scheduling, using "vacant time" can help identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, but remember to differentiate it from "waiting time". "Vacant time" appears across various sources, ranging from news outlets to scientific publications. Its usage is more frequent within the news, media and science domains compared to others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spare time

Refers to time that is free from work or duties; similar but slightly more common in everyday conversation.

free time

Denotes time available for leisure and personal activities; a very common and general alternative.

idle time

Implies time spent not working or being productive; carries a slightly more negative connotation.

unoccupied time

A more formal and literal way of saying time that isn't filled with activity.

available time

Highlights the accessibility of time for use; suitable for scheduling or planning contexts.

unfilled time

Emphasizes that the time slot is empty and awaiting an activity or task.

empty time

Suggests time that lacks purpose or content; may imply a sense of boredom or lack of fulfillment.

open time

Often used in scheduling contexts to indicate slots that are available for appointments or meetings.

blank time

Similar to unfilled time; suggests a space in a schedule that has not been assigned.

unencumbered time

Suggests time free from obligations or responsibilities, allowing for greater flexibility.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The hospital aims to reduce the amount of "vacant time" in operating rooms to improve efficiency".

What is a good alternative to "vacant time"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives such as "spare time", "free time", or "idle time".

Is it correct to use "vacant time" in a formal setting?

Yes, "vacant time" is appropriate for formal settings, especially when discussing resource management or scheduling efficiency. Alternatives like "unoccupied time" are also suitable.

What is the difference between "vacant time" and "downtime"?

"Vacant time" typically refers to scheduled but unused time, whereas "downtime" often implies an unscheduled interruption or a period of inactivity due to a system failure or maintenance. They aren't synonyms.