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time

Countability and article use​

Time has various uses, some countable and some uncountable (for full details see a good dictionary). Most of these are straightforward, but there are problems in two areas:

Measure of duration: how long​

When we talk about the number of hours, days, etc that are needed to complete something, time is generally uncountable (and therefore used without a).

  • How much time do we need to load the van?
  • It took quite some time to persuade her to talk to us.
  • Don’t worry – there’s plenty of time.
  • This is a complete waste of time.

However, time is countable in certain expressions like a long/short time and quite a time (BrE).

  • I took a long time to get to sleep.
  • She was away for quite a time.

The time can be used to mean ‘enough time’; the is often dropped.

  • Just come with me – I haven’t got (the) time to explain.
note

For the use of take with expressions of time, (see here).

Clock times​

When we talk about clock times, time is countable.

  • Six o’clock would be a good time to meet.
  • She phoned me at various times yesterday.

The is dropped in the expression it’s time.

  • It’s time to stop. (not It’s the time to stop.)

Without preposition​

Prepositions are often dropped before some common expressions with time.

  • He’s busy. Why don’t you come another time? (More natural than … at another time.)
  • What time does the match start? (More natural than At what time …?)
  • You won’t fool me this time.

In relative structures after time, that is often used instead of when in an informal style (or dropped).

  • Do you remember the time (that) Freddy pretended to be a ghost?
  • You can come up and see me any time (that) you like.
  • The first time (that) I saw her, my heart stopped.
note

For similar structures with other time words, and with place, way and reason, (see here).

on time and in time​

On time means ‘at the planned time’, ‘neither late nor early’. The opposite is ‘early’ or ‘late’. It is often used to refer to timetabled events.

  • Only one of the last six trains has been on time. (not … in time.)
  • Daniel wants the discussion to start exactly on time. (not … in time.)

In time means ‘with enough time to spare’, ‘before the last moment’. The opposite is too late.

  • We arrived in time to get good seats. (not … on time to get good seats.)
  • He would have died if they hadn’t got him to the hospital in time. (not … got him to the hospital on time.)
  • I nearly drove into the car in front, but I stopped just in time.
note

For structures after It’s time, (see here).

For ways of telling the time, (see here).

For by the time, (see here).

For tenses with this is the first time …, this is the last time … and similar structures, (see here).