We went to the cinema to pass the time until the train arrived. 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.’ 9
We spent a very good time in New York.
We had a very good time in New York. have a good/marvellous time (NOT spend ): ‘In those days all I cared about was having a good time.’ times 1
Many times there is nothing worth watching on TV.
Very often there is nothing worth watching on TV. 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 some-[thing happens, use often: ‘When are tired, they often make mistakes.’ Using prepositions in time phrases in main parts of the day
in the morning/afternoon/evening: ‘In the morning we went for a walk along the
Seine.’
Compare:
at night: ‘I don’t like driving at night.’
months, years, seasons,
centuries
She’ll be coming back home in March.’ ‘In 1989 he decided to join the army.’
‘They’re getting married in the autumn.’ ‘In the twentieth century there have
been two World Wars.’
at the end of a stated period
