Found 13 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Enjoying yourself
Nuance: Enjoyment
Use when “have a good time” means enjoy yourself.
Boring
We had a great time at the school fair, even when it started to drizzle and the paper tickets got soggy.
Better
We had fun at the school fair, even when it started to drizzle and the paper tickets got soggy.
Clock-based unit
Nuance: Duration unit
Use for a specific 60-minute unit.
Boring
We waited a long time at the clinic, watching the second hand creep around the clock.
Better
We waited an hour at the clinic, watching the second hand creep around the clock.
Specific point in time
Nuance: Point in time
Use for an exact point in time.
Boring
At that time, the power flickered and the whole room went silent.
Better
At that moment, the power flickered and the whole room went silent.
Span or phase
Nuance: Length
Use for a stretch of time (often in writing).
Boring
During that time, the library was closed for repairs, so we studied at the café instead.
Better
During that period, the library was closed for repairs, so we studied at the café instead.
Chance to act
Nuance: Chance
Use when time means a chance to do something.
Boring
Now is your time to ask questions before we lock in the plan.
Better
Now is your opportunity to ask questions before we lock in the plan.
How long something lasts
Nuance: Measured length
Use for measured length; more formal.
Boring
The time the storm lasted surprised everyone; it rained steadily for six hours.
Better
The duration of the storm surprised everyone; it rained steadily for six hours.
Historical period
Nuance: Historical
Use for a distinct historical time.
Boring
In that time period, most news traveled by letter, not by notifications on a phone.
Better
In that era, most news traveled by letter, not by notifications on a phone.
Time spent that affects you
Nuance: Personal
Use when time refers to what someone lived through.
Boring
Her time in the hospital changed her priorities, and she started saying no to extra work.
Better
Her experience in the hospital changed her priorities, and she started saying no to extra work.
Stage in a process
Nuance: Process
Use for a stage in a process or story.
Boring
At that time in the meeting, everyone realized the budget numbers didn’t add up.
Better
At that point in the meeting, everyone realized the budget numbers didn’t add up.
Scheduled block
Nuance: Time block
Use for lessons, practice, or meetings.
Boring
Our tutoring time ran long, but the fraction problems finally clicked.
Better
Our tutoring session ran long, but the fraction problems finally clicked.
One occurrence
Nuance: Occurrence
Use for a single occurrence; formal.
Boring
That was one time the printer jammed during the exam, not a pattern.
Better
That was one instance of the printer jamming during the exam, not a pattern.
Time between two points
Nuance: Between points
Use for gaps/measurements.
Boring
The time between the lightning and the thunder was five seconds, so the storm was close.
Better
The interval between the lightning and the thunder was five seconds, so the storm was close.
Planned time window
Nuance: Planned window
Use for schedules and plans; formal.
Boring
Within that time, we need to test, write the report, and send it to the client.
Better
Within that timeframe, we need to test, write the report, and send it to the client.