In 15 Seconds
- Means investing focus and energy.
- Use for important, chosen activities.
- More intentional than 'spend time'.
- Shows commitment and priority.
Meaning
When you `devote time` to something, you're not just passing the hours. You're making a conscious choice to give your energy and focus to a particular activity or person because it matters to you. It carries a sense of commitment and importance, like you're investing a valuable resource.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about hobbies
Hey! I'm finally going to `devote more time` to learning guitar this year. Wish me luck!
Hey! I'm finally going to dedicate more time to learning guitar this year. Wish me luck!
Instagram caption about a passion project
So excited to finally `devote my weekends` to finishing this painting. It’s been a dream for ages! 🎨 #artistlife #passionproject
So excited to finally dedicate my weekends to finishing this painting. It’s been a dream for ages! 🎨 #artistlife #passionproject
Job interview on Zoom
In my previous role, I was able to `devote significant time` to mentoring junior team members, which I found very rewarding.
In my previous role, I was able to dedicate significant time to mentoring junior team members, which I found very rewarding.
Cultural Background
In the US, 'devoting time' is often linked to the 'Protestant work ethic', where hard work and time management are seen as moral virtues.
Use it for goals
Use 'devote time' when talking about your goals to show you are serious.
In 15 Seconds
- Means investing focus and energy.
- Use for important, chosen activities.
- More intentional than 'spend time'.
- Shows commitment and priority.
What It Means
Devote time means you're actively choosing to spend your time on something important. It's not accidental; it's a deliberate act. Think of it as a special offering of your most precious commodity: your time. It implies a level of care and dedication that goes beyond just 'using' time. It's like giving a gift of your focus.
How To Use It
You use devote time when you want to show commitment. You're telling someone (or yourself) that something is a priority. It fits perfectly when you're talking about hobbies, relationships, work projects, or personal growth. It’s a strong verb choice that signals seriousness. You can say, 'I want to devote more time to my painting,' or 'She devotes her weekends to volunteering.' It’s about intention and value.
Real-Life Examples
- My cousin is training for a marathon. He
devotes hourseach day to running and gym sessions. He’s really committed! - Many parents
devote significant timeto helping their kids with homework. It’s a big part of family life. - I’m trying to
devote 30 minuteseach morning to meditation. It helps me start the day calm. - The researchers
devoted yearsto finding a cure. Their dedication was incredible. - She
devotes her weekendsto volunteering at the animal shelter. She loves animals!
When To Use It
Use devote time when you want to emphasize your commitment and the importance of an activity. It’s great for discussing passions, serious projects, or significant relationships. Think about things you *choose* to prioritize. If you're talking about a hobby you love, a career goal, or supporting a cause, this phrase fits. It adds weight to your words. It sounds more intentional than just 'spending time'.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use devote time for everyday, mundane tasks you *have* to do. You wouldn't say, 'I devote time to brushing my teeth' (unless you're *really* into dental hygiene!). It sounds unnatural for things like commuting, doing chores you dislike, or waiting in line. Those are just things that happen. Devote time is for activities you *choose* to invest in. It’s not for time spent passively or unwillingly. So, skip it for your daily commute unless you're listening to amazing podcasts!
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use devote time with verbs that don't fit the meaning of commitment. It's easy to get mixed up!
- ✗ I
devote timeto watching TV every night. → ✓ Ispend timewatching TV every night. - ✗ She
devoted her timeto eating lunch. → ✓ Shetook timeto eat lunch / Shehad lunch. - ✗ We
devote timeto waiting for the bus. → ✓ Wespend timewaiting for the bus. - ✗ He
devoted timeto being bored. → ✓ Hewasbored / Hefeltbored.
Similar Expressions
Spend time: This is the most common and neutral option. It just means using time. 'I spend time with my friends.'Allocate time: This is more formal, often used in planning or project management. 'We need to allocate time for testing.'Dedicate time: Very similar todevote time, almost interchangeable. 'She dedicates her evenings to studying.'Invest time: Implies you expect a return or benefit later. 'I'm investing time in learning this skill.'Commit time: Highlights the promise or obligation. 'I commit time to my family every week.'
Common Variations
devote time to [something]: The most standard form. 'He devotes time to his charity work.'devote [amount] time to [something]: Specifying the duration. 'She devotes two hours a week to yoga.'devote one's time to [something]: Emphasizing the person. 'The doctor devotes his life to helping others.'devote oneself to [something]: A stronger, more personal commitment. 'He devoted himself to his research.'
Memory Trick
Think of a DEVIL who is DEVOTED to stealing TIME! This mischievous devil *chooses* to spend all its energy taking your precious hours because it *cares* (in a weird way) about your time. The devil devotes time to its mission. It's a bit silly, but the image of a focused, dedicated (if evil!) character stealing time helps remember the core idea: intentional focus and energy on something important.
Quick FAQ
Q. Is devote time formal or informal?
A. It's generally neutral to slightly formal. You can use it in most situations, from casual chats to professional settings, but it sounds more serious than 'spend time'.
Q. Can I use devote time for negative things?
A. Usually not. It implies a positive commitment to something you value. You wouldn't typically say 'I devote time to procrastinating,' even if you do it a lot! It suggests you *choose* to do it because it's important to you, which isn't usually the case with procrastination.
Usage Notes
This phrase carries a sense of purpose and commitment. While not overly formal, it's best avoided in very casual slang or when discussing mundane, unavoidable activities like waiting. Ensure the context implies that the time is being intentionally prioritized for something valued.
Use it for goals
Use 'devote time' when talking about your goals to show you are serious.
Examples
12Hey! I'm finally going to `devote more time` to learning guitar this year. Wish me luck!
Hey! I'm finally going to dedicate more time to learning guitar this year. Wish me luck!
Shows intentional focus on a personal goal.
So excited to finally `devote my weekends` to finishing this painting. It’s been a dream for ages! 🎨 #artistlife #passionproject
So excited to finally dedicate my weekends to finishing this painting. It’s been a dream for ages! 🎨 #artistlife #passionproject
Highlights commitment to a personal, creative endeavor.
In my previous role, I was able to `devote significant time` to mentoring junior team members, which I found very rewarding.
In my previous role, I was able to dedicate significant time to mentoring junior team members, which I found very rewarding.
Professional context showing commitment to development.
To get a good grade, you really need to `devote time` to studying the textbook, not just skimming notes.
To get a good grade, you really need to dedicate time to studying the textbook, not just skimming notes.
Emphasizes the necessary effort for a goal.
I decided to `devote myself` to a career in environmental science because I feel it's crucial for our future.
I decided to dedicate myself to a career in environmental science because I feel it's crucial for our future.
Shows deep personal commitment using a common variation.
My cat seems to `devote her entire day` to napping in sunbeams. She's got the right idea!
My cat seems to dedicate her entire day to napping in sunbeams. She's got the right idea!
Lighthearted use, exaggerating the cat's 'commitment' to leisure.
✗ I `devote time` to waiting for the bus every morning. → ✓ I `spend time` waiting for the bus every morning.
✗ I dedicate time to waiting for the bus every morning. → ✓ I spend time waiting for the bus every morning.
`Devote time` implies choice and importance, not a necessary wait.
✗ He `devotes time` to scrolling through TikTok for hours. → ✓ He `spends time` scrolling through TikTok for hours.
✗ He dedicates time to scrolling through TikTok for hours. → ✓ He spends time scrolling through TikTok for hours.
This phrase implies a valued activity, not just casual time-wasting.
We need to `devote adequate time` to the research phase before we start coding.
We need to dedicate adequate time to the research phase before we start coding.
Highlights the importance of allocating sufficient resources (time) to a critical step.
I'm trying to `devote some time` each week to reading books that challenge my perspective.
I'm trying to dedicate some time each week to reading books that challenge my perspective.
Shows commitment to self-improvement through reading.
She `devotes her Saturdays` to helping out at the local soup kitchen.
She dedicates her Saturdays to helping out at the local soup kitchen.
Clearly states the commitment of specific time to a charitable cause.
Building a successful startup requires you to `devote a lot of energy` and focus, especially in the beginning.
Building a successful startup requires you to dedicate a lot of energy and focus, especially in the beginning.
Connects dedicating time with dedicating energy, emphasizing the required effort.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.
I need to devote more time ___ my health.
The verb 'devote' is always followed by 'to'.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesI need to devote more time ___ my health.
The verb 'devote' is always followed by 'to'.
🎉 Score: /1
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsYes, 'devote my time to' is very common and adds emphasis.
Related Phrases
Dedicate time
synonymTo give time to a cause.
