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 #2 (permalink) Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:28 am Time/duration |
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Hi Stone,
Time is a general word than can be a period or indeed give details of the hours of the day. Duration is a word describing a defined period of time.
Look at these:
During the time (not a defined period) I lived in the country I managed to learn the language.
Throughout the duration (describing the period from start to finish)of my stay I didn't manage to understand the language.
Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
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Alan
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Location: UK
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| #3 (permalink) Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:50 am In half an hour's time |
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| Quote: | | We have to inform our customers that the store will be closing in half an hour's time. |
There's something I've been meaning to ask you. Would you say that the phrase 'in half an hour's time' is more used than 'in half an hour' and/or better sounding or is it just another option? |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #4 (permalink) Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:30 pm Half an hour |
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Hi Conchita,
To me both in half an hour and in half an hour's time are as good as each other. I suppose I chose in half an hour's time in this sentence to suggest someone speaking officially - making it sound slightly more authoritative. It's like the friendly invigilator in an examination who says: Well, you've got half an hour left. And then there would be the po-faced invigilator who would say: The examination will conclude in half an hour's time.
Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms |
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Alan
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Location: UK
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| #5 (permalink) Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:45 pm Po-faced |
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| Alan wrote: | Hi Conchita,
To me both in half an hour and in half an hour's time are as good as each other. I suppose I chose in half an hour's time in this sentence to suggest someone speaking officially - making it sound slightly more authoritative. It's like the friendly invigilator in an examination who says: Well, you've got half an hour left. And then there would be the po-faced invigilator who would say: The examination will conclude in half an hour's time.
Alan |
Po-faced? :lol: In German, 'Po' or 'Popo' is children's or familiar language for 'bottom', i.e. 'bum'! I had never heard this adjective and am not about to forget it!
Thank you for your 'lightning retort' and, especially, for giving it your very personal and unique hallmark. |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #6 (permalink) Sat Jul 11, 2009 16:42 pm Difference between time and duration |
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in half an hour's time= in half an hour?
thanks. |
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 Saneta
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 11 Sep 2008
Posts: 1583
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| #7 (permalink) Sat Jul 11, 2009 17:18 pm Difference between time and duration |
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Hi,
Both mean the same.
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice |
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Alan
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Posts: 17284
Location: UK
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| #8 (permalink) Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:52 am making it sound(s) slightly more authoritative |
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| The sentence is missing (s): making it sound(s) slightly more authoritative. |
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Watie
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 11 Nov 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Indonesia
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| have or must? | Meaning of 'bird's eye view' |
