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Grammar fix

free time

spare time

Time when you are not working or busy, and can do what you want.

collocationB1core

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • I like to read books in my free time.daily life
  • In my free time, I often play football with my friends because it helps me relax after a busy week.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: in (someone's) free time; have free time; spend free time (doing something)

WrongIn my free times I read.

RightIn my free time I read.

Uncountable — no plural.

Patternin (someone's) free time; have free time; spend free time (doing something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I have minimal leisure at my disposal.

Natural I don't have much free time.

'Leisure at my disposal' is stiff; 'free time' is the everyday phrase.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • free time
    in mysparemuchspend

Don't confuse it

'Free time' is similar to 'spare time' and 'leisure time', but is more common in everyday conversation.

Try it in Daily Speak →