“Time” is one of the most common words in English – but do you know all the different ways you can use the word time?
In today’s lesson, you’ll learn 16 common collocations with the word TIME, such as: waste time, kill time, it’s about time, stall for time, and more.
There’s also a quiz to help you practice the collocations in this lesson – scroll down to the bottom of the lesson to try it!
But first, you might be wondering, what are collocations?
Collocations are the common combinations of words that we tend to use together. When you learn collocations, it will be easier to put words together into sentences, and you’ll sound more like a native English speaker.
You can learn a lot more inside my e-book, which will teach you 1000 English collocations in 10 minutes a day.
OK, let’s jump in to today’s lesson. For each collocation I’ll teach you the definition and then give you an example sentence.
spend time
To pass your time doing some activity.
- I spend a lot of time studying English.
waste time
Doing something that is not a good use of time.
- Stop wasting time playing computer games and get to work!
make time for
To “create” time in a busy schedule.
- I need to make time for regular exercise – maybe I can go to the gym before work.
save time
Something that is efficient and gives you extra time
- Shopping online saves me time because I don’t have to wait in line at the store.
free/spare time
Time in which you have no obligations, and you can do whatever you want.
- In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and cooking.
have time
Be available to do something.
- I’d like to take violin lessons, but I don’t have enough time.
kill time / pass the time
Do something to make the time pass faster while you’re waiting for something else.
- Let’s bring some magazines to help pass the time on the train ride.
take your time
You can use as much time as you want, you don’t have to go fast.
- “I like all of these computers. I’m not sure which one I want to buy yet.”
“That’s OK – take your time.”
on time
On schedule, at the right time.
- It’s important to arrive on time for a job interview.
just in time
At the perfect time, soon before something else happens
- Hi, Henry! Have a seat – you got here just in time for dinner.
have a hard/rough time
Something difficult, or a difficult period in life.
- I’m having a hard time solving this math problem. Could you help me?
it’s about time
An expression that means “Finally!”
- It’s about time they fixed the air conditioner in my classroom! It’s been broken for three years!
pressed for time
In a rush, in a hurry (when you need to do something and you don’t have enough time)
- Sorry, I can’t talk at the moment – I’m a bit pressed for time. Can I call you back later?
run out of time
Have no more time before the limit.
- I ran out of time before I finished the test, so I didn’t answer the last five questions.
stall for time
Delay.
- My son didn’t want to go to bed, so he tried to stall for time by asking me to read him another bedtime story.
take time off
Not go to work.
- I’m taking some time off in July to go camping with my family.
Quiz: Common English Collocations with TIME
Choose the best collocation for each sentence. Good luck!
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Collocations With Time, Time Collocations List! Time is a fundamental concept that plays an essential role in our daily lives. From scheduling appointments to planning our day, time influences every aspect of our routines. As a result, it’s no surprise that time collocations are so commonly used in the English language. A collocation is a group of words that naturally occur together and convey a specific meaning.
In this article, we’ll explore 50 common time collocations that you’ll frequently encounter in conversations, written works, and media. Whether you’re an English learner or a native speaker, these collocations will help you express yourself more accurately and fluently.
Time Collocations List:
- Part-Time
- Daylight Saving Time
- Time Tracking Analysis
- Time Tracking System
- Nighttime
- Take Your Time
- Standard Time
- Time Tracking Regulation
- Lead Time
- International Time
- Set Up Time
- Time Consumption
- Save Time
- Stall For Time
- Time Tracking Requirement
- Processing Time
- Time Optimization
- Peak Time
- Time Tracking Method
- Free Time
- Run Out Of Time
- Time Tracking Standard
- Prime Time
- Time Tracking Law
- Time-Saving Rule
- Time Saving Method
- Eastern Standard Time
- Greenwich Mean Time
- Time Tracking
- Snack Time
- Rush Hour
- Time Effectiveness
- Time Tracking Technique
- Off-Peak Time
- Time Tracking Spreadsheet
- Time Stamp
- Real Time
- Time Saving Guideline
- Have A Hard Time
- Time-Saving Approach
- Full Time
- Break Time
- Downtime
- Meal Time
- Lifetime
- To Tell Time
- On-Time
- This/The Same Time Tomorrow
- Time Tracking Framework
- Time Saving Law
- Time Zone
- Summer Time
- Short Time
- Response Time
- Time-Saving Principle
- Time Tracking Process
- Time Saving Policy
- Time Tracking Procedure
- Time Saving Process
- Spare Time
- Lunch Time
- Time Allocation
- Time Utilization
- Pacific Standard Time
- Run Time
- Tea Time
- Kill Time
- Time Tracking Rule
- Turnaround Time
- Wake-Up Time
- Long Time
- Time Saving Requirement
- Time Tracking Criterion
- Cycle Time
- Up Time
- Time Productivity
- Time-Saving Regulation
- Free Time
- Time Efficiency
- Take Time Off
- Waiting Time
- Pass The Time
- Bedtime
- Time Tracking Tool
- Time Saving Strategy
- To Keep Time
- Coffee Time
- Central Standard Time
- Winter Time
- Time Tracking Software
- Time Distribution
- Transit Time
- Time Tracking Approach
- Have A Great Time
- Time Tracking App
- Mountain Standard Time
- Make Time For
- Time Management
- Time Saving
- Time Tracking Solution
- Time Tracking Principle
- Time Saving Standard
- Time Tracking Policy
- Precious Time
- Time Tracking Strategy
- Time Clock
- Daytime
- Time-Saving Procedure
- Just In Time
- Time Tracking Report
- Time Saving Framework
- Daylight Time
- Spend Time
- Time Tracking Guideline
- Time Saving Technique
- Leisure Time
- Set Time
- Have Time
- Overtime
- Waste Time
- Quality Time
Collocations With Time in Example Sentences
- I have a great time whenever I hang out with my friends.
- I have a hard time understanding difficult concepts in math.
- I have time to finish this project by the end of the week.
- I arrived at the meeting just in time before it started.
- I like to kill time by reading books or playing games.
- I enjoy spending my leisure time outdoors, hiking or biking.
- I always try to make time for my family and friends, no matter how busy I am.
- The train arrived on time and I was able to catch it.
- I listened to music to pass the time during my long flight.
- Time management is important for productivity and efficiency.
- I use time-tracking apps to keep track of how much time I spend on work tasks.
- Spending quality time with loved ones is essential for maintaining strong relationships.
- I need some downtime to relax and recharge after a long day at work.
- The website has an uptime of 99%, meaning it is rarely down.
- The response time for customer service was quick and efficient.
- The turnaround time for the project was two weeks.
- The processing time for the application was longer than expected.
- I had a long waiting time at the airport due to a delay.
- The transit time from my house to the office is about 30 minutes.
- The lead time for ordering custom furniture is six weeks.
- The cycle time for manufacturing a product is three days.
- The run time for the movie was two hours.
- The set-up time for the event took longer than anticipated.
- I take a short break time every hour to stretch and rest my eyes.
- I usually have a sandwich for lunchtime at work.
- I like to have a cup of tea during tea time in the afternoon.
- I always have a cup of coffee in the morning during coffee time.
- I like to have a snack during snack time in the evening.
- I usually have dinner with my family during mealtime.
- I go to bed at bedtime every night to ensure a good night’s sleep.
- I wake up at a specific wake-up time every morning to start my day.
- The peak time for traffic is usually during rush hour.
- I prefer to travel during the off-peak time to avoid crowds.
- I like to go for a walk during the daytime to enjoy the sunshine.
- I usually watch TV at nighttime to wind down before bed.
- The lifetime of the product is estimated to be five years.
- I stayed at the beach for a short time before heading back to work.
- I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.
- I like to read or write during my spare time when I’m not busy.
- I prefer to work in real-time to get immediate feedback and results.
- I work part-time while studying at university.
- I work full-time as a software developer.
- I sometimes work overtime to meet project deadlines.
- The prime time for TV shows is usually in the evening.
- I always forget to change the clocks during daylight saving time.
- I enjoy the warm weather during summertime.
- I prefer the cozy atmosphere during wintertime.
Examples of Collocations with Time and Meanings
Below is the list of collocations with examples and meanings:
– Tell someone the time.
Meaning- Asking someone to tell time
Example Sentence- Can you tell me the time, please?
– Waste time
Meaning- Doing useless things
Example Sentence- He is wasting time since childhood.
– Run Out Of Time
Meaning- Have no more time
Example Sentence- I ran out of time, so I ‘ go to the store.
– Spend time
Meaning- pass your time doing something
Example Sentence- I spent some time in Australia when I was a kid.
– Have time to
Meaning- available to do something.
Example Sentence- He likes to take cricket lessons, but he doesn’t have enough time.
– Have A Hard/Rough Time
Meaning- a difficult period in life.
Example Sentence- He’s been having a hard time with his research paper.
– Free/Spare Time
Meaning- That time when you are free
Example Sentence- In my free time, I enjoy swimming, eating, and cooking.
– It’s about time
Meaning- Finally!
Example Sentence- It’s about time for me to swim.
– On Time
Meaning- Exactly at the right time
Example Sentence- He is always on time.
– Take your time
Meaning- When you have sufficient time
Example Sentence- No need to hurry, we have a lot of time.
– Save time
Meaning- To save time
Example Sentence- I love to shop online because it saves time.
– Run out of time
Meaning- No more time
Example Sentence- Did you run out of time or did you finish your exam?
– Make time for
Meaning- Try to have sometime
Example Sentence- He was very busy but he’ll try to make time for you.
– Bang/dead/right on the time
Meaning- Exactly on time
Example Sentence- Bus left bad on the time.
– Kill time
Meaning- Do something to pass the time
Example Sentence- He got to the station very early, so he had a meal in the small restaurant.
– Just In Time
Meaning- At the perfect time
Example Sentence- Have a seat Robert – you got here just in time for the match.
Related:
Go Collocations List
Grow Collocations List
Have Collocations List
Keep Collocations List
Download this list of collocations of time in a PDF
[Download PDF]
About The Author
Слово time является одним из самых употребительных в английском языке. Оно может употребляться как отдельно, так и в составе различных словосочетаний, при этом большинство словосочетаний похожи друг на друга, но в то же время имеют разное значение. Поэтому правильное употребление сollocations (словосочетаний) with time имеет большое значение для точного понимания той или иной фразы.
Collocations with «time»
1. Be time for something — есть достаточно времени.
There is time for one more exercise. — Есть время для еще одного упражнения.
2. Have time for something — иметь достаточно времени для определенного действия.
Do you have time for a cup of tea? — у тебя есть время для чашечки чая?
3. Have a good/great time — приятно проводить время.
Have a good time! — Приятно провести время!
4. In time for something — своевременно, вовремя.
Don’t worry, I’ll pass the exam in time. — Не волнуйся, я сдам экзамен вовремя.
5. On time — по графику, запланированно.
The train arrived to Moscow on time. — Поезд прибыл в Москву по графику.
6. Lose/waste time for something. — терять/тратить время.
Don’t waste time on the wrong people — не трать время на неправильных людей.
7. Pass the time — проводить, «убить» время.
We watch the TV to pass the time till evening. — Мы смотрели телевизор, чтобы скоротать время до вечера.
8. The right/exact time — верное, точное время.
What is the right time now. — Какое сейчас точное время.
9. Spend time — проводить время
We like to spend time together. Мы любим проводить время вместе.
10. It takes + period of time — период времени, необходимый для чего-либо.
It takes more than eight hours to make the structure. — Это займет больше восьми часов, чтобы сделать структуру.
11. Take your time — не торопитесь, не спешите.
I don’t have enought time to focus on that. — Take your time. У меня нет достаточно времени, чтобы сфокусироваться на этом. — Не торопись.
12. Time flies! — время пролетело очень быстро!
English lesson was very interesting and hilarious and time flew quickly. — Урок английского был очень интересным и веселым и время пролетело очень быстро!
13. By the time — к тому времени.
She had cooked dinner by the time he came. — Она приготовила обед к тому времени, когда он пришел.
14. a waste of time — напрасная, пустая трата времени.
It would be a waste of time for the government to keep silence. — Это было бы пустой тратой времени для правительства хранить молчание.
A collocation is a pair or group of two or more words that are commonly used together in English.
Here is the list of common collocations with Verb TIME that you should learn.
Learn collocations with the verb TIME.
| allotted time | amount of time |
| ample time | appointed time |
| approximate time | borrowed time |
| brief time | commuting time |
| considerable time | cooking time |
| countless times | difficult time |
| drying time | elapsed time |
| exact time | exciting time |
| extended time | fastest time |
| Free time | game time |
| geologic time | given time |
| Going through a tough time | hard time |
| Have a great time | Have a hard/rough time |
| Have time | in the fullness of time |
| incubation time | indefinite time |
| indeterminate time | inopportune time |
| inordinate time | instructional time |
| It’s about time | Just in time |
| Keep time | Kill time |
| lean time | Leisure time |
| leisure time | length of time |
| limited time | Make time for |
| medieval time | olden time |
| On time | opportune time |
| Over time | Pass the time |
| passage of time | payback time |
| playing time | Precious time |
| prehistoric time | preparation time |
| present time | Pressed for time |
| prolonged time | ravages of time |
| Record time | rough time |
| Run out of time | Save time |
| scheduled time | Set time |
| set time | Spare time |
| specified time | Spend time |
| Stall for time | stressful time |
| sufficient time | Take time off |
| Take your time | Tell time |
| time constraint | time horizon |
| time of onset | tough time |
| troubled time | trying time |
| tumultuous time | turbulent time |
| turnaround time | vacation time |
| wait time | waiting time |
| Waste time | wasted time |
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Collocations are very common in English, and learning them is important. Below is the list of common collocations with the word TIME in English you should know.
Useful BUSINESS and TIME Collocations
Time Collocations List
- Run out of time
- Save time
- Kill time
- Take your time
- Make up for lost time
- Take a long time
- Give me a hard time
- Spare time
- Spend time
- Waste time
- Make time for
- Have time
- Pass the time
- On time
- Just in time
- It’s about time
- Take time off
- Tell me the time
- Time passes
- Dead on time
- Free time
- Right on time
Collocations with Time with Examples
Run out of time
E.g: I didn’t finish the test – I ran out of time.
Save time
E.g: If you want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
Kill time
E.g: We played cards to kill time until the bus came.
Take your time
E.g: There’s no rush – take your time.
Make up for lost time
E.g: I’ll have to work hard now to make up for lost time.
Take a long time
E.g: His injuries will take a long time to heal.
Give me a hard time
E.g: They really gave me a hard time at the interview.
Spare time
E.g: She devotes all her spare time to gardening.
Spend time
E.g: I spend time watching TV.
Waste time
E.g: I waste time listening to music every day.
Make time for
E.g: Today I’m busy, but I’ll make time for you.
Have time
E.g: Do you have time to help me?
Pass the time
E.g: I’m determined to pass the time.
On time
E.g: The trains are rarely on time.
Just in time
E.g: I arrived just in time for my flight to London.
It’s about time
E.g: It’s about time you cleaned your room!
Take time off
E.g: You must take time off the clock and make it a short game.
Tell me the time
E.g: Can you tell me the time?
Time passes
E.g: As time passes, it becomes more difficult ro raise funds.
Dead on time
E.g: I left dead on time at 10.45 am.
Free time
E.g: I do a lot of reading in my free time.
Right on time
E.g: The trial lawyer was right on time for his next case.
Collocations with the Word TIME | Image
