TIME AS A COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUN

TIME AS A COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUN

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.