time

Everyday

1. Time is what we measure with clocks in seconds, minutes, hours, days and years. tree →
2. The time is the hour and minutes shown on a clock: What time is it? tree →
3. A time is one occasion when something happens: the first time. tree →
4. «Times» means multiplied by: 3 times 4 is 12. tree →
5. A time is a period in history or in life: in the time of the dinosaurs. tree →
6. To time something is to measure how long it takes. tree →
7. (casual) «Time out» is a short break or a punishment of sitting quietly; «about time!» means at last, you are late. tree →
8. (casual) «Have a good time» means enjoy yourself; «hard time» means trouble: «don't give me a hard time». tree →
9. (rough, slang) «Doing time» means being in prison. tree →
10. (formal) «Duration», «period», «interval» and «elapsed time» are stiff words: «Determine the duration of the journey.» tree →
11. In time can also mean early enough, before it is too late. tree →

In the lessons

Maths: duration and clock time; telling the time, elapsed time, timetables; «3 times» means repeated, «3 times as many» means multiply; the times tables. Science: timing an experiment with a stopwatch. Everyday: on time, in time, spare time, bedtime, time out, «once upon a time», have a good time. In casual talk: «what time u coming», «about time». In the exam voice: «the duration», «the elapsed interval», «at a time of 14:20». Phrases: «on time» (not late), «in time» (early enough), «from time to time», «time's up».

Examples

• What time does the train leave? tree →
• It takes 20 minutes each time. tree →
• She jumped 5 times. tree →
• He has 3 times as many cards as Ann. tree →
• Six times seven is forty-two. tree →
• Be on time for school. tree →
• We had a great time at the beach. tree →
• Time how long it takes the ice to melt. tree →
• bus at 8:40 its 8:25 now, how much time (casual) tree →
• About time! You said 10 minutes, it's been 40. (rough) tree →
• His uncle is doing time for robbery. (slang) tree →
• Determine the duration, in minutes, of a journey commencing at 14:20 and concluding at 15:05. (formal exam) tree →
• The girls arrived just in time. tree →

Note

«Time» (hours) is usually uncountable; «times» (occasions or multiplying) is countable. «Times as many» means multiply. «How many times» counts repeats. Trap: «3 times more than» is often read as × 3; tell how you read it. Trap: time is counted in 60s, not 100s. «On time» means not late; «in time» means early enough. «Time out» is a pause, not a number. Formal «duration» and «elapsed time» = how long: end − start.

In Jewish tradition

Maths: duration and clock time; telling the time, elapsed time, timetables; «3 times» means repeated, «3 times as many» means multiply; the times tables. Science: timing an experiment with a stopwatch. Everyday: on time, in time, spare time, bedtime, time out, «once upon a time», have a good time. In casual talk: «what time u coming», «about time». In the exam voice: «the duration», «the elapsed interval», «at a time of 14:20». Phrases: «on time» (not late), «in time» (early enough), «from time to time», «time's up».

Examples

• And I besought the LORD at that time, saying: (Torah DEU.3.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• But the LORD hearkened unto me that time also. (Torah DEU.9.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• For except we had lingered, surely we had now returned a second time.' (Torah GEN.43.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then did Libnah revolt at the same time. (Prophets 2KI.8.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. (Prophets 1SA.3.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth? (Writings JOB.39.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Time» (hours) is usually uncountable; «times» (occasions or multiplying) is countable. «Times as many» means multiply. «How many times» counts repeats. Trap: «3 times more than» is often read as × 3; tell how you read it. Trap: time is counted in 60s, not 100s. «On time» means not late; «in time» means early enough. «Time out» is a pause, not a number. Formal «duration» and «elapsed time» = how long: end − start.