Collocations for time - noun
1. what is measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
TIME + VERB
elapse, go by, pass
As time went by we saw less and less of each other. | The changing seasons mark the passing of time.
As time went by we saw less and less of each other. | The changing seasons mark the passing of time.
fly
How time flies!
How time flies!
drag
Time drags in this job.
Time drags in this job.
heal sth
Time heals all wounds.
Time heals all wounds.
PREP.
in ~
The world exists in time and space.
The world exists in time and space.
over ~
Perceptions change over time.
Perceptions change over time.
through ~
travel through time
travel through time
PHRASES
the mists of time
The origins of this custom are lost in the mists of time.
The origins of this custom are lost in the mists of time.
2. time shown on a clock
ADJ.
good, perfect
My watch keeps good time.
My watch keeps good time.
local
The attacks were launched at 9 p.m. local time.
The attacks were launched at 9 p.m. local time.
British Summer, Greenwich Mean, etc.
VERB + TIME
tell
Can your son tell the time yet?
Can your son tell the time yet?
have
Have you got the time?
Have you got the time?
make
What time do you make it?
What time do you make it?
look at
Look at the time! We''ll be late.
Look at the time! We''ll be late.
keep
PREP.
ahead of/behind … ~
two hours behind Central European Time
two hours behind Central European Time
PHRASES
this time tomorrow, etc.
This time tomorrow I''ll be in Canada.
This time tomorrow I''ll be in Canada.
time in/of the morning/afternoon/evening, time of (the) night/year, time of day
3. time when sth happens/should happen
ADJ.
peak
There are extra buses at peak times.
There are extra buses at peak times.
closing, opening | arrival, departure
VERB + TIME
fix, set
We need to fix a time for the next meeting.
We need to fix a time for the next meeting.
TIME + VERB
come
You''ll feel differently about it when the time comes.
You''ll feel differently about it when the time comes.
PREP.
ahead of ~
Check the programme ahead of time.
Check the programme ahead of time.
behind ~
The plane took off an hour behind time.
The plane took off an hour behind time.
by the ~
By the time you get there the meeting will be over.
By the time you get there the meeting will be over.
in ~
We got home in time to see the end of the match.
We got home in time to see the end of the match.
on ~
The trains are rarely on time.
The trains are rarely on time.
4. amount of time
ADJ.
considerable, long | little, short | reasonable | precious
We''re wasting precious time.
We''re wasting precious time.
idle | free, leisure, spare | journey, travel, travelling | lead, waiting
There is a long lead time between order and delivery of the product.
There is a long lead time between order and delivery of the product.
VERB + TIME
have
Have you got time for a chat? | I had no time to think.
Have you got time for a chat? | I had no time to think.
give sb/sth
I can certainly do the job if you give me time.
I can certainly do the job if you give me time.
take (sb)
It takes time to make changes in the law. | It took her a long time to read the report.
It takes time to make changes in the law. | It took her a long time to read the report.
TIME + VERB
be up, run out
Sorry, your time is up.
Sorry, your time is up.
TIME + NOUN
period, scale, span | limit | lag
PREP.
at a ~
He surfs the Internet for hours at a time.
He surfs the Internet for hours at a time.
for a ~
I lived there for a time.
I lived there for a time.
in ~
You''ll get used to the work in time.
You''ll get used to the work in time.
over/with ~
Her skills improved with time.
Her skills improved with time.
PHRASES
all in good time
(= sth will happen when the time is right) Be patient, Emily! All in good time.
(= sth will happen when the time is right) Be patient, Emily! All in good time.
all the time/the whole time
The letter was in my pocket all the time (= while I was looking for it). | She leaves the lights on all the time (= always/repeatedly).
The letter was in my pocket all the time (= while I was looking for it). | She leaves the lights on all the time (= always/repeatedly).
a battle/race against time
Finishing the book was a race against time.
Finishing the book was a race against time.
if time permits
We will discuss this matter later, if time permits.
We will discuss this matter later, if time permits.
in the fullness of time
(= when the time is right, usually after a long period),
(= when the time is right, usually after a long period),
in good/plenty of time
Get to the airport in good time (= plenty of time before the plane leaves).
Get to the airport in good time (= plenty of time before the plane leaves).
in next to no time/in no time at all, in ten minutes'', three hours'', etc. time
I''ll be back in ten minutes'' time.
I''ll be back in ten minutes'' time.
in your own (good) time
(= taking as long as you want/need),
(= taking as long as you want/need),
a length of time
Have you lived abroad for any length of time?
Have you lived abroad for any length of time?
most of the time, a period of time, some/a long time ago
Her parents died a long time ago.
Her parents died a long time ago.
a waste of time
What a waste of time!
What a waste of time!
5. (often ‘times’) period in the past/present
ADJ.
good, great, happy | bad, difficult, hard, rough, sad, troubled, unhappy
Times are hard for the unemployed.
Times are hard for the unemployed.
ancient, early, former, old
in ancient times
in ancient times
modern, recent | medieval, prehistoric, etc.
VERB + TIME
have
We had a great time at the party.
We had a great time at the party.
TIME + VERB
change
Times have changed since Grandma was young.
Times have changed since Grandma was young.
PREP.
at a/the~
He lived at the time of the French Revolution. | At one time Mary was my best friend.
He lived at the time of the French Revolution. | At one time Mary was my best friend.
before your ~
The Beatles were before my time.
The Beatles were before my time.
in your ~
Mr Curtis was the manager in my time (= when I was working there).
Mr Curtis was the manager in my time (= when I was working there).
in ~s
in times of trouble
in times of trouble
PHRASES
from/since time immemorial
(= for a very long time),
(= for a very long time),
of all time
the greatest footballer of all time
the greatest footballer of all time
a sign of the times, time was when
Time was when (= there was a time when) we never needed to lock our house at night.
Time was when (= there was a time when) we never needed to lock our house at night.
6. occasion
ADJ.
that, this
I''m determined to pass this time.
I''m determined to pass this time.
last
When was the last time you saw her?
When was the last time you saw her?
another, next
Next time you''re here let''s have lunch together.
Next time you''re here let''s have lunch together.
one | each, every
Every time I hear that song I feel happy.
Every time I hear that song I feel happy.
appropriate, good, suitable
Is this an appropriate time to discuss my salary?
Is this an appropriate time to discuss my salary?
appointed, right | bad, wrong
This would be a bad time to tell her.
This would be a bad time to tell her.
first, second, etc. | umpteenth | countless
I''ve told you countless times.
I''ve told you countless times.
VERB + TIME
bide
We''ll have to bide our time until the rain stops.
We''ll have to bide our time until the rain stops.
TIME + VERB
come
Your time will come.
Your time will come.
be ripe
The time is ripe for revolution.
The time is ripe for revolution.
PREP.
at a/the ~
The lift can take four people at a time. | At the time of writing, a ceasefire is under discussion. | Hot water is available at all times. | He can be rather moody at times.
The lift can take four people at a time. | At the time of writing, a ceasefire is under discussion. | Hot water is available at all times. | He can be rather moody at times.
by the ~
She''ll have gone by the time we get there.
She''ll have gone by the time we get there.
for the … ~
I told her not to do it for the umpteenth time.
I told her not to do it for the umpteenth time.
~ for
It''s time for a break.
It''s time for a break.
PHRASES
at the present time, for the time being
(= temporarily),
(= temporarily),
a number of times, X times out of X
three times out of ten
three times out of ten
7. when you experience sth in a particular way
ADJ.
enjoyable, fun, good, grand, great, marvellous, pleasant, splendid, wonderful
It was a fun time for us girls.
It was a fun time for us girls.
awful, dreadful, horrible, miserable, sad, terrible
VERB + TIME
have
Did you have a good time in Spain?
Did you have a good time in Spain?
8. time taken in a race, etc.
ADJ.
fast | record
He completed the course in record time.
He completed the course in record time.
VERB + TIME
clock up, record
She clocked up one of the fastest times of the year.
She clocked up one of the fastest times of the year.
9. musical rhythm
ADJ.
march, waltz | double, quick | four-four, three-four, etc.
VERB + TIME
beat, keep
The conductor beat time with a baton.
The conductor beat time with a baton.
TIME + NOUN
signature
PREP.
in/out of ~ (to/with)
clapping in time to the music
clapping in time to the music