"all the time" vs "all this time"

Question

"all the time" vs "all this time"

The phrases 'all this time' and 'all the time' have different meanings and are not interchangeable. 'All this time' refers to a specific period leading up to the present moment, while 'all the time' indicates a continuous or repeated action. Therefore, they are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

Use 'all the time' to express that something happens continuously, without interruption, or repeatedly. It implies a sense of frequency or regularity.

Examples:

She talks on the phone all the time.
He is late all the time.
I see that movie all the time.
They argue all the time.
He complains all the time.

Alternatives:

constantly
continuously
repeatedly
always
incessantly

Use 'all this time' when referring to a specific duration or period that has passed up to the present moment. It implies a sense of continuity or persistence.

Examples:

I thought you had forgotten about me all this time.
She had been working on the project all this time.
All this time, I never realized how much you cared.
He had been waiting for her all this time.
We had been living in the same city all this time.

Alternatives:

all along
all the while
all this while
all this period
all this duration

Answer 1

all the time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It indicates a continuous or repeated action.

Answer 2

all this time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It refers to a specific period leading up to the present moment.

"all the time" vs "all this time"

all the time

all this time

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