noun
1
BAD : Many times there is nothing worth watching on TV.
GOOD : Very often there is nothing worth watching on TV.
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Do not use many times unless you are thinking about the total number of times that something happens: 'I've tried phoning her many times during the past week, but nobody answers.' 'He'd told me the same story many times before.'
When you are thinking about the general frequency with which something happens, use often : 'When people are tired, they often make mistakes.'
2
BAD : The journey takes long time.
GOOD : The journey takes a long time.
BAD : Long time ago there was a queen named Isabel.
GOOD : A long time ago there was a queen named Isabel.
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a long time (WITH a ): 'The film lasted a long time.'
3
BAD : In the present time the situation is getting worse.
GOOD : At the present time the situation is getting worse.
BAD : We both left the building in the same time.
GOOD : We both left the building at the same time.
BAD : Most families get together in Christmas time.
GOOD : Most families get together at Christmas time.
BAD : He was born in the right time and in the right place.
GOOD : He was born at the right time and in the right place.
4
DUBIOUS : He couldn't see where he was going and fell down many times.
GOOD : He couldn't see where he was going and kept falling down.
BAD : People tell me many times that America is a dangerous country.
GOOD : People are always telling me that America is a dangerous country.
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If you do something repeatedly, you keep doing it or you are always doing it: 'Why does she keep writing to you?' 'At school I was always getting into trouble.'
5
BAD : Last time Singapore used to be a fishing village.
GOOD : Many years ago Singapore used to be a fishing village.
BAD : Last time you promised to join me on a trip to Beijing.
GOOD : The last time we met you promised to join me on a trip to Beijing.
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The last time (always with the ) refers to a particular occasion: 'The last time we saw each other she said that she was going to get married.' 'This is the last time I'm coming here!'
To refer to a period in the (distant) past, use previously, formerly, many years ago, in the old days, etc : 'The new road changed people's lives enormously - previously the only way of reaching the village was on foot.' 'Zimbabwe was formerly known as Rhodesia.' 'In the old days the only way to get to India was by ship.'
6
BAD : The fire brigade arrived just on time, before the fire could spread.
GOOD : The fire brigade arrived just in time, before the fire could spread.
BAD : They had to rush to get to work in time.
GOOD : They had to rush to get to work on time.
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in time = not late; early enough: 'Make sure you arrive in time to see the beginning of the film.'
on time = (arriving) at the right time; punctual(ly): 'The train arrived at 17.28 - exactly on time.'
7
BAD : It didn't take a long time before we were back home again.
GOOD : It didn't take long before we were back home again.
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not take/be long (WITHOUT time ): 'The dinner won't be long - about another five minutes.'
8
BAD : Medical science is developing every time.
GOOD : Medical science is developing all the time.
BAD : I think about you every time.
GOOD : I think about you all the time.
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When you mean 'continuously', use all the time (NOT every time ): 'They seem to be arguing all the time.'
Compare: 'Every time I go skiing, I come home feeling years younger.'
9
See SPEND 1 (↑ spend ), 2
10
BAD : We went to the cinema to spend the time until the train arrived.
GOOD : We went to the cinema to pass the time until the train arrived.
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When you have nothing important to do and you spend time doing something in order to avoid being bored, you pass the time : 'At the airport we bought a pack of playing cards to help pass the time.'
11
BAD : We spent a very good time in New York.
GOOD : We had a very good time in New York.
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have a good/marvellous time (NOT spend ): 'In those days all I cared about was having a good time.'