ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have time to do sth

fixed phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

fixed phr.. This means you are not too busy and are available to do something.

fixed phr.. A verb phrase indicating that one possesses the necessary amount of unallocated time to perform a specified action.


SIMPLE

I have time to help you.

CONTEXTUAL

I don't have time to talk right now, but I can call you back later.

COMPLEX

Despite his demanding schedule, the CEO always insisted he had time to review every single customer complaint personally.

Usage

Often used in the negative ('don't have time') to explain why you cannot do something.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'make time', which implies actively creating an opportunity, whereas 'have time' simply states existing availability.

Pitfall

I don't have time for watching a movie.I don't have time to watch a movie.After 'have time', use the 'to'-infinitive to describe the action, not 'for' + a gerund.

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