Look at the TIME !

by Adina Mezei

I’m sure you’ve all felt the rush of adrenaline: to be or not to be late? And I suppose you’ve all wanted to share this experience - be it in Romanian or in some other language. If you’ve ever felt at a loss for English words, now it is the time to put your time to good use by learning some new expressions about or linked to time.

Let’s take it one step at a time:

Step 1: Time is linked to … clocks

What can make us be late? Well, it could be that our alarm clock is losing time; put differently, our clock is slow. If this is the case, the solution is simple: you can set the clock forward and hope it keeps better track of time from now on. If somehow your clock is gaining time, then it means that you’ve just arrived earlier at your appointment or date. Well then, if you have time to kill, bear with me for a while and have a look at what follows.

Step 2: Time is linked to …. space,  motion

Or at least this is what Einstein tells us about time and its relativity: its very existence depends on the presence of space, motion (if you’re interested in more details check Einstein’s theory, I’m sure he’ll explain these things better than I can). Let’s see how this is mirrored in language. Well, time can be measured - it takes you a long/short time to do something, we speak of the length of time, or it can move - sometimes time passes so fast that it seems to fly!

Step 3: Time is linked to … subjectivity

We speak about time dilating (slowing) or expanding its duration also with respect to something other than what we’ve just mentioned: to our own subjective perception..

We’ve all felt how time flies when you’re having fun, haven’t we? And after all, whether we’re having fun or not in life, time does pass: after all, time and tide wait for no man.

Step 4: Time is linked to … money

Yeah, yeah, I’m referring to the overused expression Time is money! And if you can spend a little more time reading, I’m sure you’ll decide it’s not wasted time, and that every single minute spent is accounted for.

So, it seems that time may be perceived differently according to our units of measurement, space and motion, to our state of mind, or to our financial interests etc. … Enough chattering already! Let’s check if you remember some of the expressions used here:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with one or more words so that the sentences make sense:

1. Your watch shows it is 10.00 o’clock. I’m afraid you’ll need to adjust it. It is slow again.

It is ……………..

2. How much time do you …………… on homework? Does it take you more than half an hour?

3. Every single minute of his day is …………….. for. He is a very busy business man.

4. Time is of the essence, this is why we can’t afford to ………… any time.

5. I have a very full timetable. So, let’s put our time together to good ..….…. and learn as much as we can from each other!

Let’s get down to some serious stuff L and learn how to differentiate between various expressions which have to do with time. Let’s have a look at some other expressions which can be easily confused:

in no time - used when you refer to something which happens very fast

He helped her when she needed someone, and in no time they started to grow fond of each other.

at times - used when you refer to something which happens occasionally

We used to meet at times and chat about one or the other.

at all times - always:

The nun told me: “Please keep this icon with you at all times.”

at one time - in the past

I used to cycle a lot at one time. Now I can’t do it any more because I don’t have the time.

at this time - now

The policeman gave the following statement: “We have no more information available at this time.”

at the same time - refers to simultaneous things

I feel sad for losing, but at the same time I am happy for her.

in (good) time - early enough

on time - at the correct time and not late

behind time - late

ahead of time - early, in good time

The train was due to arrive at 10 o’clock sharp. We wanted to get to the railway station a bit ahead of time. We left home at 9.00 and arrived at the station at 9.30. In other words, we got there in (good) time. The train arrived on time (at 10.00). If it had arrived at 10.15, it would have arrived behind time.

for a time - for a short period

He was quite happy for a time, until he became ill.

for some time - for a long period

I’ve been thinking about changing my job for some time now. It is time to take action!

Let’s try to see if this has been a profitable use of your timeJ. Check your knowledge!

Exercise 2: Replace the words and phrases in bold with words linked to time:

1. In the old days, men like me wore long hair.

2. If you all talk in chorus I won’t be able to hear all your questions.

3. So much did she love him that when she heard he was in trouble she jumped to his rescue before you can say Jack Robinson.

4. The project was due to be finished on May 20th. The red team finished on May 15th - it finished ahead of schedule. The green team finished on May 27th - it finished behind schedule. The blue team finished on May 20th. It finished on schedule.

5. We had a good laugh now and then, but sometimes she could be really boring.

Well, we have used up all out time together. Until next time, goodbye!

Key:

Exercise 1:

1. losing time

2. spend

3. accounted

4. waste

5. use

Exercise 2:

1.  at one time

2. at the same time

3.  in no time

4. ahead of time; behind time; on time

5. at times