had time with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had time with" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to imply spending time with someone, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I had time with my friends last weekend, and we had a great time."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I've had time with these pieces.

The New York Times

I had time with my mother but I really lived with my father.

The Guardian - Sport

"John was with us from the beginning and I have had time with him and have had Fraser with us for over a year," Hodgson explained.

Independent

"In her last week she said to me, and I'm sure she said the same to the others, that she was so happy to have had us three girls, to have had time with us and to have married Dad," says Rachael.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Twenty years ago, you had time with prisoners.

BBC

And they also had time with their dad.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We had times with mental breakdowns, some of that probably is mental fatigue," Collison said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can have time with my kids".

The New York Times

Once they knew they wouldn't have time with him, the nature of the film changed.

The Guardian

You still have time with your own family but your friend will feel loved.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have time with them to enjoy their childhoods, without any of us suffering financially.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "had time with" is understandable, consider using "spent time with" for a more formal and widely accepted phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "had time with" in formal writing. Opt for more conventional phrases like "spent time with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had time with" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of spending or allocating time to a person or object. However, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "had time with" is understandable and used across various contexts, it is considered less standard than alternatives like "spent time with". As Ludwig AI points out, it is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. It's best suited for informal communication. For formal writing, opting for more conventional phrasing ensures clarity and professionalism. Ludwig examples show its presence in news, media, and wiki sources, but "spent time with" is a safer choice in most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spent time with

More standard and common way to express the idea of allocating time to someone or something.

spent moments with

Focuses on specific instances or shorter durations of time spent.

shared time with

Emphasizes the mutual aspect of spending time together.

enjoyed time with

Highlights the positive and pleasurable aspect of the shared time.

had a chance to be with

Implies an opportunity to spend time that may not have been readily available.

allocated time for

Focuses on intentionally setting aside time for someone or something.

made time for

Emphasizes the effort involved in creating time for someone or something.

dedicated time to

Highlights a commitment of time for a specific purpose or person.

invested time in

Suggests that time spent is an investment with potential future returns.

found time for

Implies discovering available time amidst a busy schedule.

FAQs

What's a more common alternative to "had time with"?

A more standard alternative is "spent time with", which is widely accepted and understood in both formal and informal contexts.

Is "had time with" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "had time with" is less common than alternatives and might sound awkward to some. It is often better to use "spent time with" for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "had time with"?

It's generally safe to use "had time with" in informal conversations or casual writing. However, in formal writing, it's preferable to use "spent time with".

How does "had time with" differ from "spent time with"?

"Spent time with" is a more direct and widely recognized way to express the action of dedicating time to someone or something, whereas "had time with" can sound slightly less natural or polished.