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Chariot Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

the time

Yesterday he meant to talk to you, but he didn't have time.

I thought "...,but he didn't have the time. Is the correct here?
  

Top answer

Both accepted. "The" is normally used when you want to indicate "the specific time for this talk" No article, when he didn't have time in general. This is the most frequent usage.

  • Both accepted.
  • "The" is normally used when you want to indicate "the specific time for this talk" No article, when he didn't have time in general.
  • This is the most frequent usage.
  • Pretty much the same meaning.
  • query=%22didn%27t+have+the+time%22&srchst=nyt "didn't have time" 710 Results
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4 Answers
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Both accepted.

"The" is normally used when you want to indicate "the specific time for this talk"

No article, when he didn't have time in general. This is the most frequent usage.

Pretty much the same meaning.

At the New York Times:
"didn't have the time" 154 Results
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Are you saying both are correct, with a difference in meaning?

When "the" is used, the sentence indicates that he may have had time to do other things but not talking.
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Both correct. You see them at the New York Times, don't you?

The difference you've mentioned depends on the reader.
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Thank you Marius Hancu. I didn't see them in New York Times. I thought the speaker distinguishes the difference by using "the time" or "time" and the reader comprehens accordingly.

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