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Can i borrow your time vs Can i borrow you for

Both phrases are incorrect or incomplete. The correct phrase would be "Can I borrow some of your time?" or "Can I borrow you for a moment?" Each phrase has a different context and meaning, so they are not directly comparable.
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Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: September 13, 2024 • 19411 views

Can i borrow your time

This phrase is not correct in English. Time cannot be borrowed in the literal sense.

Instead of saying "Can I borrow your time?", you can say "Can I have some of your time?" to ask for someone's attention or availability.
  • Jul 5, 2019 ... Haha, can I borrow your time machine? 15 Likes. YumeMori July 5, 2019, 5:08pm 4. Move to Japan and only use Japanese? Even then it takes a ...
  • Feb 17, 2024 ... Hi people, can I borrow your time to figure out what build and item are considered realistic on hwei? I can't find enough data and other ...
  • High quality example sentences with “can i borrow your time” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig: your English writing platform.
  • Jul 20, 2024 ... Gotchu homie. Upvote 3. Downvote Reply reply. Award Share. dudeness_boy. • 3mo ago •. Can I borrow your time machine? Upvote 2. Downvote Reply ...
  • Feb 7, 2006 ... Can I borrow your time machine? 02-07-2006 03:46 PM by TheRex. I do this every tuesday, thursday, friday, saturday, and sunday. School on ...
  • Thomas Hawk By: Thomas Hawk. Follow. Can I Borrow Your Time Machine? Done. Loading comments... Add comment. 798 views. 33 faves. 0 comments.
  • Can I borrow your time machine? You obviously transported those beautiful bikes here from the past unscathed by the ravages of time! Manage Preferences
  • Jul 5, 2024 ... Great photo, can I borrow your Time Machine? Perfect lighting and shadows, composition, timing, love it! No people or cars but the horses ...
  • Feb 16, 2016 ... Can I borrow your time machine? PS: There are only 6360 hours in a year (excluding leap year). Like. Reactions: SsmB_92. like this. Feb 16 ...

Alternatives:

  • Can I have some of your time?
  • Can I have a moment of your time?
  • Can I talk to you for a minute?
  • Can we chat for a bit?
  • Can we have a quick discussion?

Can i borrow you for

This phrase is also incorrect. The preposition 'for' should be followed by a specific purpose or duration.

Instead of saying "Can I borrow you for?", you can say "Can I borrow you for a moment?" to ask someone to give you their attention or time for a short period.
  • Feb 2, 2023 ...Can I borrow you for a minute?” Followed by a request that will take up most of your day. Archived post. New comments cannot be posted and ...
  • May 11, 2020 ... ... looks at one of them and says “Dave, can I borrow you for a minute please?”. He means that he wants to temporaril...
  • Jul 30, 2021 ... Or is it better to say can I borrow you for a minute? Does the former make it sound like I'm literally asking to borrow time?
  • Jan 28, 2011 ... I often had people coming into the office where I worked saying "Can I borrow you for a sec? I need you to look at my computer ...
  • 6 days ago ... Hey CBR! Can I borrow you for a second? Sooo, Times be tough; I had to cancel 8 shifts last week due to Covid - but I'm well again now!
  • Mar 18, 2016 ... New research from reed.co.uk reveals asking 'Can I borrow you for a sec' is a guaranteed way to irritate colleagues.
  • Apr 17, 2023 ... Can I borrow you for 16 seconds? #naturelovers #inspire #motviate #changetheworld. more. View all 42 comments. 1 day ago · rural2kitchen's ...
  • Mar 17, 2024 ... I personally hate when someone asks to “borrow” me, even in a nonsexual context (“Can I borrow you for a sec?”), because I think it's a ...
  • Jan 25, 2016 ... "Oh hey when they are done shooting you can I borrow you for a second?" View fullsize. StephB&A.jpg. Despite the frigid wind creepin' off the ...

Alternatives:

  • Can I borrow you for a moment?
  • Can I have your attention for a second?
  • Can you spare a moment?
  • Can you give me a minute?
  • Can you listen to me for a moment?

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