Everyone has activities they enjoy outside of work or school. When talking about hobbies, personal projects, or relaxation, we often use the phrase “in my spare time.”
While this expression is common, using alternatives can make your English sound more fluent, natural, and professional.
Choosing the right phrase also helps you adjust your tone depending on whether you are speaking to friends, colleagues, or writing formally.
This article explores 12+ ways to say “in my spare time”, explaining their meanings, usage, and examples.
English learners and professionals will find it easier to discuss hobbies, leisure, and free-time activities in a variety of contexts.
Using different expressions can make your conversations, emails, and presentations more interesting and polished.
What Does “In My Spare Time” Mean?
Definition: The phrase “in my spare time” refers to activities you do when you are not working or busy with obligations.
Grammar Explanation
- “In” is a preposition indicating when something happens.
- “My” shows possession.
- “Spare time” is a noun phrase meaning free time.
Example:
- “I enjoy reading in my spare time.”
It emphasizes personal choice and leisure activities.
When to Use “In My Spare Time”
This phrase works in various contexts:
- Formal contexts: Job interviews, professional networking, or emails.
- Informal contexts: Casual conversations with friends or family.
- Written use: CVs, cover letters, personal blogs, or letters.
- Spoken use: Interviews, presentations, or chats with colleagues.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “In My Spare Time”?
Yes. “In my spare time” is polite, neutral, and widely understood. It is suitable for:
- Professional settings: Explaining hobbies or interests in interviews.
- Casual conversations: Talking about hobbies with friends.
It may feel slightly overused or generic, so using alternatives can make your speech or writing sound more creative and engaging.
Pros and Cons of Using “In My Spare Time”
Pros:
- Clear and simple
- Polite and neutral
- Suitable for both formal and informal contexts
- Easy for English learners
Cons:
- Can sound repetitive
- Lacks variety or creativity
- Sometimes too casual for highly formal writing
- May not capture the nuance of specific hobbies or free-time activities
12 Other Ways to Say “In My Spare Time”
Here are 12 alternative phrases, complete with meaning, explanation, example, and tone guidance.
1. Phrase: In My Free Time
- Meaning: Time when you are not busy with work or responsibilities.
- Explanation: Direct synonym, simple and widely understood.
- Example: “I like painting in my free time.”
- Best Use: Formal, Informal
- Worst Use: Highly technical writing
- Tone: Neutral / Friendly
2. Phrase: During My Leisure Time
- Meaning: Refers to periods when you are free and relaxed.
- Explanation: Slightly more formal than “spare time.”
- Example: “I enjoy hiking during my leisure time.”
- Best Use: Formal, Professional
- Worst Use: Casual texting
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
3. Phrase: When I’m Not Working
- Meaning: Time outside professional responsibilities.
- Explanation: Casual, conversational style.
- Example: “I like to cook when I’m not working.”
- Best Use: Informal, Semi-formal
- Worst Use: Highly formal writing
- Tone: Friendly / Neutral
4. Phrase: Outside of Work
- Meaning: Refers specifically to time not spent on job duties.
- Explanation: Common in professional and interview contexts.
- Example: “Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal, Business
- Worst Use: Talking about school or personal life casually
- Tone: Neutral / Formal
5. Phrase: In My Downtime
- Meaning: Periods when you rest or do enjoyable activities.
- Explanation: Informal, often used in casual speech.
- Example: “I like reading novels in my downtime.”
- Best Use: Informal, Personal
- Worst Use: Academic papers
- Tone: Friendly / Casual
6. Phrase: During My Off Hours
- Meaning: Hours when you are not working or busy.
- Explanation: Slightly formal; often used in professional settings.
- Example: “I practice guitar during my off hours.”
- Best Use: Business, Semi-formal
- Worst Use: Informal chats with friends
- Tone: Neutral / Formal
7. Phrase: In Between Tasks
- Meaning: Time available between activities or responsibilities.
- Explanation: Casual and task-focused, good for work context.
- Example: “I check personal emails in between tasks.”
- Best Use: Informal, Professional
- Worst Use: Leisure-specific contexts
- Tone: Neutral / Friendly
8. Phrase: When I Have Free Moments
- Meaning: Short periods when you are free.
- Explanation: Slightly descriptive, works for casual and semi-formal communication.
- Example: “I write short stories when I have free moments.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal, Informal
- Worst Use: Strictly formal writing
- Tone: Friendly / Neutral
9. Phrase: In My Personal Time
- Meaning: Time devoted to yourself outside obligations.
- Explanation: Formal and professional, often used in business contexts.
- Example: “I focus on learning new skills in my personal time.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Casual conversations with friends
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
10. Phrase: In My Leisure Hours
- Meaning: Specific periods of relaxation and free activities.
- Explanation: Polished and slightly formal.
- Example: “I enjoy painting in my leisure hours.”
- Best Use: Formal, Academic
- Worst Use: Casual speech
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
11. Phrase: When I’m Free
- Meaning: Time available to do personal activities.
- Explanation: Very casual and versatile.
- Example: “I like to play chess when I’m free.”
- Best Use: Informal, Casual
- Worst Use: Formal writing
- Tone: Friendly / Casual
12. Phrase: During My Off-Time
- Meaning: Periods away from obligations, rest or personal activities.
- Explanation: Semi-formal; suitable for professional and casual contexts.
- Example: “I enjoy jogging during my off-time.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal, Informal
- Worst Use: Highly formal writing
- Tone: Neutral / Friendly
Comparison Table of Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Worst Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| In My Free Time | Neutral | Formal, Informal | Academic writing |
| During My Leisure Time | Formal | Business, Professional | Casual texts |
| Outside of Work | Neutral | Semi-formal, Professional | Personal casual chats |
| In My Downtime | Friendly | Casual, Personal | Academic writing |
| When I Have Free Moments | Friendly | Semi-formal, Informal | Highly formal contexts |
| In My Personal Time | Formal | Business, Professional | Casual conversations |
FAQs
Q1: Can I use these alternatives in a job interview?
Yes. Phrases like “Outside of work”, “In my personal time”, or “During my leisure time” sound professional and natural.
Q2: Which phrase is best for casual conversation with friends?
Use “When I’m free” or “In my downtime.”
Q3: Are some phrases too formal for everyday speech?
Yes. Phrases like “During my leisure time” or “In my leisure hours” are better suited for formal writing or professional contexts.
Q4: Can I use “in between tasks” for hobbies?
It is possible, but it works best when describing small activities between work responsibilities rather than long hobbies.
Q5: Which phrase is simplest for English learners?
“In my free time” is short, clear, and widely understood.
Conclusion
Using alternative ways to say “in my spare time” makes your English more fluent, versatile, and professional.
While the phrase itself is clear and polite, experimenting with alternatives lets you adapt tone for casual chats, formal writing, interviews, or emails.
By choosing the right expression, you can sound confident, natural, and engaging in every context. Try incorporating these alternatives to describe your hobbies, leisure, or personal projects with variety and style.
David Jonson is an experienced English language writer who specializes in clear, practical, and learner-friendly content. He helps students and professionals improve their communication skills with confidence.