SpeakUp

quality time — meaningful time

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

Time spent with someone, especially family or friends, in a way that is enjoyable and helps you feel closer to them.

Say it like a native

Textbook I wish to dedicate periods of meaningful interaction with my children.

Native I want to spend some quality time with my kids.

'Periods of meaningful interaction' is therapy-speak; 'quality time' is the set phrase.

Pattern: spend/have quality time (with someone)

In use

  • I try to spend quality time with my kids every weekend.family
  • In my opinion, it's important for families to have quality time together, especially because everyone is so busy these days.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ We did some quality time together.

✓ We spent some quality time together.

You SPEND quality time, not 'do' it.

Common collocations

  • spend quality time — spend quality time, quality time with, some quality time, family time

Don't confuse it

Different from just 'time together', which can be routine or unremarkable.

Practice speaking with instant AI feedback →