What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
duration
Example
The duration of the movie was two hours. [duration: noun]
Example
The duration of the concert was longer than expected. [duration: noun]
time
Example
What time is it? [time: noun]
Example
Time flies when you're having fun. [time: noun]
Example
I spent a lot of time studying for the exam. [time: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Time is more commonly used than duration in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications and is more versatile. However, duration is still an important term in technical and scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between duration and time?
Duration is often used in technical or scientific contexts, where precision and accuracy are crucial. Therefore, it is more formal than time, which is used in both formal and informal contexts.