Mastering Collocations with Time: Examples and Meanings
Introduction to Collocations with Time
Understanding collocations is crucial for achieving fluency in English. Collocations are combinations of words that frequently occur together, making your language sound more natural and precise. In this lesson, we will explore common collocations with "time" and provide practical examples and meanings to enhance your vocabulary and communication skills.
By the end of this lesson, you will be familiar with various collocations involving "time" and how to use them correctly in different contexts. This knowledge will help you sound more like a native speaker and improve your overall English proficiency.
Let's start by exploring some useful vocabulary and phrases related to "time." Understanding these terms will provide a solid foundation for mastering the lesson.
Useful Vocabulary for Collocations with Time
- Collocation: A pair or group of words that are often used together.
- Example: "Make time" is a collocation involving the word "time."
- Punctual: Happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time.
- Example: "She is always punctual for her appointments."
- Efficiency: Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- Example: "Time management is key to efficiency."
Common Collocations with Time
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Dead on time
- Meaning: Exactly at the expected time.
- Example: "The train arrived dead on time at 8:30 AM."
- Example: "She finished the project dead on time."
- Example: "The meeting started dead on time, as scheduled."
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Free time
- Meaning: Time when you are not working or busy.
- Example: "I do a lot of reading in my free time."
- Example: "He enjoys hiking in his free time."
- Example: "She spends her free time painting."
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Waste time
- Meaning: Use time inefficiently or unproductively.
- Example: "Do you know you are wasting time by procrastinating?"
- Example: "He tends to waste time on social media."
- Example: "Let's not waste time and start the meeting now."
-
Time passes
- Meaning: The progression of time.
- Example: "As time passes, it becomes more difficult to raise funds."
- Example: "Time passes quickly when you're having fun."
- Example: "You will get better at it as time passes."
-
Save time
- Meaning: Reduce the amount of time needed to do something.
- Example: "Using a dishwasher saves time and energy."
- Example: "This shortcut will save time on your commute."
- Example: "Organising your tasks can help save time."
-
Spend time
- Meaning: Use time doing something.
- Example: "Don is planning to spend some time fishing with his grandsons."
- Example: "She loves to spend time with her friends."
- Example: "They spent some time discussing the new project."
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From dawn till dusk
- Meaning: From early morning until late evening.
- Example: "He worked from dawn till dusk to finish the project."
- Example: "Farmers often work from dawn till dusk during harvest season."
- Example: "The festival runs from dawn till dusk."
-
Right on time
- Meaning: Exactly at the planned or expected time.
- Example: "The trial lawyer was right on time for his next case."
- Example: "The bus arrived right on time."
- Example: "She joined the call right on time."
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Just in time
- Meaning: At the last possible moment.
- Example: "He arrived just in time to catch the train."
- Example: "They completed the report just in time for the meeting."
- Example: "The delivery arrived just in time."
-
Time flies
- Meaning: Time seems to pass very quickly.
- Example: "Time flies when you're having fun."
- Example: "It's hard to believe that it's been a year already. Time flies."
- Example: "They say time flies as you get older."
-
Time heals
- Meaning: Emotional pain lessens over time.
- Example: "Time heals all wounds, as they say."
- Example: "Give it some time. Time heals."
- Example: "She's still hurting, but time heals."
-
Make time
- Meaning: Create time in a busy schedule.
- Example: "You need to make time for exercise."
- Example: "He always makes time for his family."
- Example: "Try to make time for relaxation."
-
Take your time
- Meaning: Do something without hurrying.
- Example: "Take your time to read the instructions carefully."
- Example: "She told him to take his time with the project."
- Example: "There's no rush, take your time."
-
Time will tell
- Meaning: The truth or outcome will be revealed in the future.
- Example: "Only time will tell if the decision was correct."
- Example: "Time will tell if the new policy is effective."
- Example: "We'll see how things go. Time will tell."
-
Out of time
- Meaning: No longer having time to do something.
- Example: "We are out of time, so let's wrap up the meeting."
- Example: "She ran out of time before she could finish the exam."
- Example: "They were out of time to complete the project."
-
Ahead of time
- Meaning: Earlier than expected.
- Example: "We finished the project ahead of time."
- Example: "The train arrived ahead of time."
- Example: "He completed his assignment ahead of time."
-
Buy time
- Meaning: Delay something to gain more time.
- Example: "We need to buy time to complete the preparations."
- Example: "She asked a question to buy time."
- Example: "They agreed to buy time by negotiating an extension."
-
Have a hard time
- Meaning: Experience difficulty.
- Example: "He's having a hard time adjusting to the new job."
- Example: "She had a hard time understanding the instructions."
- Example: "They are having a hard time making ends meet."
-
Kill time
- Meaning: Do something to pass the time.
- Example: "We played cards to kill time while waiting."
- Example: "She read a book to kill time during the flight."
- Example: "He watched TV to kill time."
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On time
- Meaning: At the correct or expected time.
- Example: "Please be on time for the meeting."
- Example: "The flight arrived on time."
- Example: "She always pays her bills on time."
-
In time
- Meaning: Early enough; before a deadline.
- Example: "He arrived just in time for the show."
- Example: "Will we be able to finish the project in time?"
- Example: "She completed the assignment in time."
Summary and Takeaways
Exercises to Do Alone
To reinforce what you've learned, try creating sentences using each collocation with "time." Practise these phrases in different contexts to build confidence and ensure you understand their proper usage.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, we explored various collocations with "time," including their meanings and examples. These collocations are essential for effective communication and making your English sound more natural. By mastering these phrases, you can improve your vocabulary and fluency.
Key Phrases Learned
- Dead on time
- Free time
- Waste time
- Time passes
- Save time
- Spend time
- From dawn till dusk
- Right on time
- Just in time
- Time flies
Tips for Remembering the ESL Lesson
- Practise the collocations regularly in real-life situations.
- Write down examples and review them often.
- Use visual aids, such as flashcards, to reinforce your memory.
- Pair each collocation with a specific scenario to make it more memorable.
Sharing the Lesson
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