The word time has both countable and uncountable uses.
When we talk about the amount of time (number of hours/days etc.) required to complete something, time is usually uncountable.
- How much time do we need to paint the walls? (NOT How many time do we need…?)
- We took quite some time to put the child to bed.
- Hurry up – we haven’t got enough time.
- The project was a complete waste of time and money.
In expressions like a long time or a short time, the word time is used as a countable noun.
- I took a long time to proofread the work.
When we talk about clock times, time is countable.
- Five o’clock would be a great time to start.
- I called him at various times yesterday.
When time is used without a preposition
Prepositions are often dropped before common expressions with time.
- I’m busy right now. Can you come another time? (More natural than ‘Can you come at another time?’)
- What time does the train leave? (More natural than ‘At what time does the train leave?’)
- You can’t fool me this time.
On time and in time
On time means ‘at the planned time’. In time means ‘with enough time to spare.’
- It is important that the meeting start on time.
- She would have died if they hadn’t taken her to hospital in time.
