It seems like there's a huge difference in meaning between "all the time" and "all this time". Could you give me some examples?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, you're right! It's just a one word difference, but it changes the meaning entirely! "All the time" is used to express that something is done frequently. It is an expression that emphasizes frequency, so it means something similar to "constantly" or "frequently." Ex: I go jogging all the time. Ex: I hang out with my friends all the time. Meanwhile, "all this time" is used to emphasize a duration or period of time, usually to say that something was or was not the case, or did not occur then. It's similar in meaning to "all the while" or "this whole time." Ex: All this time I thought you didn't like me! Ex: All this time I've lived in Paris and I've never been to the Eiffel Tower!

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Popular Q&As

12/20

1
What does the "podcast" mean?
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2
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3
Is the joke of toilet in this sentence often used?
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4
What's the main difference between "disposable" and "expendable?"
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5
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