〜時間があります

## What it means This pattern lets you say you have, or don't have, time to do something. A related phrase, 用事があります, means 'I have plans/something to do' and is a polite way to say you're busy without explaining why.

## When to use it Put a verb in its **dictionary form** directly before 時間があります, like 見る時間があります ('I have time to watch'). To say you don't have time, change あります to its negative, ありません. 用事があります doesn't take a verb at all, it stands alone, and it's often used to politely turn down an invitation.

## Don't confuse it with Don't mix up 時間があります ('I have time') with 時間がかかります ('it takes time'), かかります describes how long something takes, not whether you're free. Also, the verb before 時間があります must stay in the plain dictionary form, even in an otherwise polite conversation.