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You are here: Home / Learning / Time as a countable and uncountable noun

Time as a countable and uncountable noun

October 24, 2015 - pdf

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.
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