Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Junkomama]

I think "I don't have time for reading." is correct and "I don't have the time for reading." is wrong. Am I right?

And which one is correct in each set?

1. I can't spare time/the time/my time for reading.
2. I can't afford time/the time for reading.
3. I can't spend time/the time/my time for reading.

Thank you in advance!
Junkomama

[Anuradha Chepur]

[redset]

Yeah, they all do sound correct to me - except 'spend... for reading', to me the for sounds very unnatural in that construction.

[Junkomama]

Thanks a lot for your response, Anuradha Chepur-san, redset-san!!

How to use an article is difficult for me to learn!
But with your help, I�ｌｌ take it one day at a time.

Regards,
Junkomama

[redset]

Oh, the article? I'll try and put it like this: if you want to read something, it will take a certain amount of time to do so. We call that the time (to read/for reading). You might hear people say 'I don't have the time!' - what they're saying is that they can't spare the amount of time required to do whatever they've been asked to do.

If you say 'I can't spare time for reading' you're really saying 'I can't spare any time for reading' as though you have more important things to do. The difference is subtle, but I think 'I can't spare time for reading' implies that reading isn't important enough to devote time to, whereas 'I can't spare the time for reading' implies that the amount of time required for reading is too much. The article shifts the emphasis by talking about a specific amount of time instead of just time in general. 'My time' is similar to time without the article, except you're emphasising that it's your general time that would be used up, like if your boss asked you to take some work home (so you wouldn't be working in the company's time, you'd be working in your time).

It's a subtle difference, that's why we have to think about it Also, I don't ever remember being taught any of this, it's something I picked up from being exposed to and using the language. Don't worry, you'll get there.

[Junkomama]

Thank you again, redset-san!
Your explanation is easy to understand and helpful!
I also appreciate your encouragement!

Regards,
Junkoama