Taking Out Time vs. Taking Time Out – Which is Correct?
Both “taking out time” and “taking time out” can be correct, but they express different ideas. “Taking out time” means deliberately making or setting aside time for something, while “taking time out” means pausing or taking a break. Choose the phrase that matches your intended action and context and audience.
Taking Out Time or Taking Time Out – Which is Correct?
Both phrases are grammatically possible, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence. Taking out time means arranging or setting aside time for a particular purpose. For example, you might take out time to visit a friend or complete an important task.
Taking time out means temporarily stopping an activity, usually to rest, recover, reflect, or deal with another priority. It is closely related to the noun time-out, which means a break or pause.
In polished American English, “making time” and “setting aside time” are often more natural alternatives to “taking out time” when you mean scheduling an activity. However, “take out time” is understandable and acceptable in that meaning, especially in conversational and international English.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the direction test: if you are pulling time from your schedule for a purpose, you are taking out time. If you are stepping away from an activity, you are taking time out.
Remember it this way: take out time for something, but take time out from something.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| taking out time | Verb phrase | Deliberately making or setting aside time | She is taking out time to help her neighbor. |
| taking time out | Verb phrase | Pausing or taking a break from an activity | He is taking time out to recover from the injury. |
How to Use Taking Out Time
Taking out time describes the act of deliberately allocating part of your schedule to a person, activity, or responsibility. It commonly appears before an infinitive phrase beginning with to, as in “taking out time to study.” It can also be followed by for and a noun, as in “taking out time for family.”
The expression is understandable in casual and professional communication, although “making time” or “setting aside time” may sound more natural to many American English speakers. Use it when the focus is on arranging time for a specific purpose, not on taking a rest.
Example 1: I am taking out time to prepare for the certification exam.
Example 2: She always takes out time for her elderly parents.
Example 3: The director took out time to speak with every member of the team.
Etymology of the phrase taking out time
This phrase combines the phrasal verb take out, meaning to remove or extract, with time. The expression developed from the idea of removing a portion of available time from a busy schedule and assigning it to a particular purpose. In contemporary usage, “make time” and “set aside time” are often preferred alternatives.
How to Use Taking Time Out
Taking time out means stopping an activity temporarily. It can refer to taking a physical break, resting from work, stepping away from a stressful situation, or withdrawing temporarily from a competition, career, or public role.
The phrase is natural in both casual and formal English. It is often followed by to when explaining the purpose of the break, as in “taking time out to relax.” When the source of the break is mentioned, from is commonly used: “taking time out from work.”
Example 1: I am taking time out to relax after a demanding week.
Example 2: The athlete is taking time out from competition to recover.
Example 3: Taking time out during a difficult conversation can prevent emotions from escalating.
Etymology of the phrase taking time out
Taking time out comes from the broader idea of taking something out of an ongoing activity. The phrase became strongly associated with pauses and breaks, particularly through sports and games, where a “time-out” is an official temporary stoppage. It later developed broader meanings related to rest, reflection, and temporary withdrawal.
Related Concepts
Understanding phrasal verbs, prepositions, and idiomatic expressions makes the distinction between these two phrases easier to remember.
- Phrasal verbs: A phrasal verb combines a verb with a particle such as out. The resulting meaning may differ from the meaning of the main verb alone, as with take out.
- Prepositions: The words that follow the phrases help clarify the meaning. “Take out time for a task” focuses on allocation, while “take time out from work” focuses on a break.
- Idiomatic expressions: “Take time out” is an established expression meaning “take a break.” Its meaning cannot always be understood by interpreting each word separately.
- Schedule-related expressions: “Make time,” “set aside time,” and “allocate time” are often clearer choices when discussing planned activities.
Examples from Media and Literature
These phrases appear in many familiar real-world contexts. The following examples show how writers and speakers typically use them:
- Sports reporting: A report may explain that a player is “taking time out from competition” while recovering from an injury.
- Workplace communication: A manager might ask employees to “take time out to review the safety procedures.”
- Self-help books: Advice about stress management often encourages readers to “take time out for themselves.”
- Biographical writing: An account of a public figure may state that the person took time out from public life to focus on family or health.
- Personal correspondence: A person may write, “Thank you for taking out time to meet with me,” although “Thank you for making time to meet with me” is usually more idiomatic in American English.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: taking out time or taking time out.
- Maria is __________ to volunteer at the community center every Saturday.
- After working for six hours without a break, Daniel is __________ to get some fresh air.
- The musician is __________ from touring while recovering from exhaustion.
- Thank you for __________ to discuss my application.
- Experts recommend __________ from social media when it becomes overwhelming.
Answer Key
- taking out time — Maria is setting aside time for volunteering.
- taking time out — Daniel is pausing his work for a break.
- taking time out — The musician is temporarily withdrawing from touring.
- taking out time — The person arranged time for a discussion. “Making time” would be a more natural alternative for many American English speakers.
- taking time out — The phrase means temporarily stepping away from social media.
Taking Out Time Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Making time | Arranging a period for a person or activity despite a busy schedule |
| Setting aside time | Reserving time for a particular purpose |
| Allocating time | Assigning a specific amount of time to an activity |
| Devoting time | Using time consistently or intentionally for someone or something |
Taking Time Out Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Taking a break | Stopping an activity temporarily to rest or recover |
| Pausing | Temporarily stopping an action or process |
| Stepping away | Temporarily leaving an activity or situation |
| Taking a respite | Taking a short period of relief or rest |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “taking out time” grammatically correct?
Yes. It can mean deliberately making or setting aside time for something. However, “making time” or “setting aside time” may sound more natural in formal American English.
Question 2: Is “taking time out” correct?
Yes. “Taking time out” is a standard expression meaning taking a break or temporarily stepping away from an activity, responsibility, or situation.
Question 3: Should I say “taking out time” or “taking time out” for a meeting?
Use “taking out time” if you mean arranging time for the meeting. For especially natural professional wording, say “making time for a meeting” or “setting aside time for a meeting.”
Question 4: Can “taking time out” mean scheduling time?
Usually, no. It generally means pausing or taking a break. If you mean scheduling time for an activity, use “making time,” “setting aside time,” or “taking out time.”
Conclusion
Both taking out time and taking time out are valid, but they communicate different ideas. Use “taking out time” for deliberately allocating time to something, and use “taking time out” for pausing or taking a break. Pro Tip: In professional writing, “making time” and “setting aside time” are often the clearest choices, helping your communication sound precise and polished.
