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Questions tagged [time]

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For questions about expressing time in English.

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Advertisement for boating holidays

Sail through England! Narrowboat Holiday UK offers canal boats for hire for family boating holidays. Envision weekend and midweek breaks on the canals and waterways of the Yorkshire Dales, sail ...
my goddess Zendaya
  • 29
0 votes
1 answer
18 views

up to five/until five

a. The police had a list of the people who were in the building up to five o'clock. b. The police had a list of the people who were in the building until five o'clock. In which of the above sentences ...
azz
  • 2,121
0 votes
1 answer
30 views

For <period of time> vs In <period of time> [duplicate]

I haven't seen him for 3 years. Most of the fields he'd passed in the last few weeks were bare. Why there is "for" in the first sentence whilst the last one uses "in"? Is there ...
Alexander
  • 197
2 votes
1 answer
36 views

societies that existed before 9000 years ago

a. This book is about societies that existed up to 9000 years ago. b. This book is about societies that existed before 9000 years ago. c. This book is about societies that existed until 9000 years ago....
azz
  • 2,121
2 votes
1 answer
33 views

Meaning of “2 days either side of the date”

Your ticket is valid for any Airtrain service on the selected dates as well as 2 days either side of your selected dates. — Airtrain FAQ Please help me with the meaning of “2 days either side of your ...
S.L
  • 63
0 votes
1 answer
38 views

How to talk about a week in the past?

I face difficulty in explaining a certain date, week that is in the past, how can I phrase my sentence correctly? For example, say we are in the 4th week of a month and I want to talk about an event ...
Akshit
  • 9
0 votes
1 answer
14 views

He came to the company for less than one year

Although he came to the company for less than one year, he has learned a lot. Is this sentence correct, especially the preposition "for"? Or what preposition should I use? Assume today is ...
Gqqnbig
  • 636
0 votes
2 answers
17 views

(It's been a halfyear/a halfyear has passed) since

Which is correct? I think both are, but "it's been a halfyear" would be more idiomatic. Examples: It's been a halfyear since Ai went to a new language school. A halfyear has passed since ...
Mr Dandelion
  • 25
-1 votes
1 answer
54 views

What time are the "Wee Hours"? [closed]

What period of time is considered Wee Hours? From 12:00am to 05:00am?
Pedro Muniz
  • 25
1 vote
2 answers
43 views

The past perfect tense when using time clauses

I was taking a course about time clauses when I got confused about when I should use the Past perfect tense in the main clause. According to the lesson, we should use Past Participle in the main ...
Medi Az
  • 31
0 votes
0 answers
15 views

at an earlier age than

Could one use a. He'll graduate from college earlier than all of his relatives. b. He'll graduate from college sooner than all of his relatives. c. He'll graduate from college before all of his ...
azz
  • 2,121
1 vote
0 answers
25 views

Is this sentence grammatically correct and punctuations are used correctly?

Is this sentence grammatically correct and coherent? Based on the availability of my examining committee and committee chair, Tuesday, January 17th, 1 PM - 3PM works for everyone for my candidacy ...
Exploring
  • 145
3 votes
3 answers
44 views

the afternoon in which

They say here the next sentence is correct with "on the morning that" and incorrect with "in the morning that": (1a) Why was the old woman so happy on the morning that Peter ...
Loviii
  • 1,116
0 votes
1 answer
33 views

When "that" = "which" and when "that" = "a preposition + which"?

My own sentences where "that" = "which": (1a) The forum (that) I posted this question is for English language learners. — (I know it's) incorrect (1b) The forum (that) I posted ...
Loviii
  • 1,116
0 votes
1 answer
26 views

How do I write a time span in the morning or afternoon Oxford style?

I wonder if anyone knows how to write a time span in the morning or afternoon Oxford style – I have checked the Hilary term 2016 version of the Oxford Style Guide and I have searched the internet for ...
Gerda
  • 155
0 votes
1 answer
30 views

Can "just" and "already" be used with past tense and with a specific time? [closed]

Can "just" and "already" be used with past tense and with a specific time? Example 1 I just met her five hours ago. Example 2 I already told her about the party five hours ago.
vincentlin
  • 1,419
0 votes
1 answer
24 views

The party caused a mess in the common area. The school asked us "to do the party elsewhere next time." - does this make sense?

Example 1 The party caused a mess in the common area. The school asked us to do the party elsewhere next time. Even though the word "ask" is past tense, what the school asked for (the part ...
vincentlin
  • 1,419
-1 votes
1 answer
41 views

Meaning of "within a period of not more than one month preceding the date of expiry"? [closed]

I have to renew a license and the rule states that "the application has to be submitted within a period of not more than one month preceding the date of expiry". So the date of expiry is ...
shivspr
  • 9
0 votes
1 answer
36 views

Why has the author chosen future in a clause time?

may be I'll get to you some day until then I'll keep on walking through the rain. he will play until he arrives Both are clause time, why has the author chosen future for the verb in the first ...
user5577
  • 6,281
2 votes
2 answers
199 views

The pictures I sent were horrible or the pictures I sent are horrible? Which one is correct and why?

The pictures I sent were horrible or The pictures I sent are horrible Which is correct and why? If I use "were "does it mean that in the present time the pictures are no longer horrible?
Uni123
  • 41
0 votes
2 answers
16 views

Using "when" and "at that time" at the same time

A conjunction "when" and a phrase "at that time" seem to have similar meanings because both indicate time. Can I use both of them in one sentence like this: What did you mean when ...
Nigutumok
  • 505
0 votes
2 answers
356 views

Most recent revision; latest revision; or last revision?

In official documents that are revised on a regular basis, which would be the correct/most natural phrase to use for the slot where you enter the date on which the document was last revised – "...
Helen
  • 1,538
-1 votes
1 answer
19 views

Preposition for "the night before something" [closed]

Say our flight is on July 10. On July 9 at night, Stacy found her passport was expired. Is the following sentence idiomatic? At the last night before our flight, Stacy found her passport was expired. ...
Gqqnbig
  • 636
0 votes
0 answers
46 views

Starting date on a job advertisement

What are possibilities of indicating possible start dates in a job ad? The problem with googling is that you find what you should do as an applicant, but I want to know what I can do as an employer. ...
Sebastian E
  • 150
1 vote
1 answer
41 views

Midnight in a formal context

Let's say I wrote in a message "… the deadline is Monday at 11 PM." but immediately changed my mind and decided to postpone the deadline by an hour. What should I write? "Monday at 12 ...
gboffi
  • 209
0 votes
1 answer
44 views

How do you say time like 1:45, 2:45, 3:45...? [duplicate]

If trains leave at 1:45, 2:45, 3:45, 4:45... how would you describe this in English? I'm sure "Trains leave at every 45 minutes." is wrong, but I have no idea how to describe this.
kuwabara
  • 976
2 votes
1 answer
201 views

How to say expedite a process by two times

Let's assume that we have a process that takes 10 minutes to finish. Now, we come up with a new way that can do the process in 2 minutes. A few questions: How can we say this sentence correctly: The ...
Diamond
  • 1,285
1 vote
1 answer
26 views

for using our equipment

a. They paid a large sum for using our equipment. b. They paid a large sum to use our equipment. Can one tell whether we were paid before they used our equipment or after they used our equipment? c....
azz
  • 2,121
3 votes
2 answers
492 views

paid him to repair

a. I paid him for repairing my computer. b. The money I gave him was for repairing my computer. c. I paid him to repair my computer. d. The money I gave him was for him to repair my computer. e. ...
azz
  • 2,121
0 votes
1 answer
29 views

after a period + an event (After 10 days after purchase)

I purchased a fan. After 10 days, it makes noise. Can I rephrase the sentence to the following? My fan quickly makes noise after 10 days after purchase. The "after ... after" part seems ...
Gqqnbig
  • 636
0 votes
1 answer
239 views

Is it correct "I have been reading the book three hours."?

Compare the two sentences below： A: I have been reading the book for three hours. B: I have been reading the book three hours. I know A is obviously correct. But my question is: Is B also correct? ...
xmllmx
  • 174
0 votes
1 answer
17 views

a much defeated man

a. He was a much defeated man. In the record of the Canadian Parliament from 1885 b. He was a very much defeated man. In Rehabilitation Client Assessment - Page 41 Do these mean that He had been ...
azz
  • 2,121
0 votes
1 answer
23 views

he was very annoyed

a. He was very much annoyed. b. He was annoyed much. c. He was annoyed very much. I think (b) and (c) sound a bit strange. I think (b) and (c) could mean that he was often annoyed. I think could refer ...
azz
  • 2,121
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

What does "passing smokes stage" mean?

The goddess Dhūmavatī is described as Vivarnā, Chañchalā and Rustā with her rough behaviour and unclean robes. Her appearance is like a widow sitting on a chariot carried by a crow. This goddess ...
manav m-n
  • 384
1 vote
1 answer
21 views

Can I use the word "duration" for an ongoing event which has no estimated end?

Can I use the word "duration" for an ongoing event which has no estimated end? An example: "The duration of this rain is 25 minutes". It started 25 minutes ago, and it is still ...
Renato
  • 113
0 votes
1 answer
40 views

Is 'not until' correct here?

A: So when did he let you know he was dating your ex? B: He didn't really. Not until recently. Is 'not until' correct and idiomatic here? (if I intend it to mean that the guy dating the ex didn't ...
Bobobobobo11
  • 1,107
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

"In my early 20s, ..." or "In my earlier 20s, ...."

In my earlier 20s, I had a quite obsessive and controlling relationship with food and exercise The sentence is from the BBC "In my earlier 20s" does not sound right to me. I often hear ...
yunus
  • 3,569
4 votes
1 answer
122 views

"in the morning" vs "on cold mornings"

I always know is "in the morning" until I read this article "should I let my vehicle warm up on cold mornings?" Why did it use "on cold mornings" instead of "in cold ...
Qiulang 邱朗
  • 143
1 vote
2 answers
159 views

Can we use the time expression (... ago) in past perfect tense?

I've read it somewhere that the time expression (... ago) (e.g. two days ago, two weeks ago, etc.) is only used in the simple past. But in the exercise on unit 35, Advanced Grammar in Use I found this ...
user516076
  • 4,892
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are "as of writing" and "at the time of writing" both correct?

I see that 'at the time of writing' is grammatically correct (Is 'at the time of writing' correct?). Is this replaceable with 'as of writing'?
Jay Lee
  • 123
0 votes
3 answers
71 views

Can I use exact (clock) time as an introductory phrase after "At"?

As in: "At 2:15 AM, she entered the victim's bedroom carrying a knife." Can that exact time be considered a part of an introductory phrase and split the sentence with a comma? Also, if that ...
conjunctionjunctionfunction
  • 17
1 vote
1 answer
46 views

When the enrollments were done?

For example, Staff members who enroll in courses related to business over the summer will have their tuition fees reimbursed in September. The current problem for me of the above sentence is totally ...
electrical apprentice
  • 153
0 votes
1 answer
335 views

I took last/the last week off - can I use that on Monday to indicate I did not work the week before? [closed]

It is Monday, and I want to tell my colleague I was not in the office the week before (last week?). Would it be ok to say: I took last week off Is that correct?
John V
  • 1,635
0 votes
0 answers
19 views

Should I use verb or noun when talking about time it took to do something?

An example from the computer science. Which one is "more" correct compilation time or compile time? Google translate suggests compile time. However in similar scenario with "generate&...
Al Bundy
  • 143
13 votes
6 answers
2k views

Can we put 'just' before 'on time'?

I was reading a text-block in my book regarding the difference between in time and on time, and I noticed before in time, the writer (of the book) put just in 2 different examples. Here are the ...
user516076
  • 4,892
2 votes
2 answers
72 views

How to say that I start doing something from this year/season

I would like to say that something starts at the particular moment, e.g. year or season. How should I pose it? For instance. I watched movies alone before, but starting from this winter, I plan to ...
Arseny Aleev
  • 192
1 vote
2 answers
230 views

Is the sentence "our son was born in the last week" correct? (Using preposition and definite article with time units)

Our son was born last week does not sound weird to me. Actually Our son was born in the last week sounds a little bit unusual. But thinking about it, I find the latter one more correct grammatically. ...
Xfce4
  • 277
0 votes
1 answer
43 views

How better to describe exact time in future [duplicate]

What tense is better to use ? I’m sending you the sheets tomorrow at 5pm. (As it was planned before saying.) I will send you the sheets tomorrow at 5pm. Or there is another alternative in my mind ...
user avatar
Koka Lola
4 votes
4 answers
1k views

How to refer to particular years in a specific century in one expression?

If I need to mention the year and the century how do I say that in one sentence? They moved abroad in the 70s in the twentieth century. They have a collection of paintings painted in the 70s in the ...
Antonia A
  • 1,991
-1 votes
1 answer
396 views

What does it mean "It's five to twelve"? [closed]

Is it 11:55? OR 12:05? It's quite ambiguous in Korean.
Hemingway Hong
  • 3

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