Time can mean available duration, an hour on a clock or an occasion.

The idea

For duration, time is usually uncountable: much time. An occasion is countable: three times. A specific clock time can also be counted: two times are listed.

Examples

  • I do not have much time today.
  • What time does the shop open?
  • We met three times last month.
  • This is my first time here.
  • It takes time to learn a skill.
  • There are two times listed on the ticket.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not add -s when talking about an amount of duration. Use times when counting occasions or distinct clock times.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the uncountable noun for available duration. I do not have much ___ today. (time / times)

    Show answer or example answer

    time

    time is uncountable in the phrase much time.

  2. Count three occasions. We met three ___ last month. (time / times)

    Show answer or example answer

    times

    times counts the three meetings.

  3. Ask for the single opening time. What ___ does the shop open? (time / times)

    Show answer or example answer

    time

    time asks for the hour at which the shop opens.

Use it today

Describe time you need for a skill and how many times you practised.