How many hours can you watch TV?

Question

I was wondering if these sentences are possible:

How many hours can you watch TV?

How long can you watch TV?

How much time can you watch TV?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Nila, there really is no difference in the phrases "how much time" and "how long". However, it is just a matter of the way something is usually phrased or said.

I'm not sure if you are wondering how much time the person has available to watch TV or how much time the person usually spends watching TV. There is a difference.

For the first case you would say something like: "How much time do you have available to watch TV? or "How long will you be able to watch TV?"

For the second case you would probably say something like: "How much time do you spend watching TV?" or "How many hours a day do you watch TV?

Again, the examples that you gave are all grammatically correct, but they are not worded in a way that is commonly used.

Answer 2

All of the sentences are correct, although for the last one, I would probably say "How much time can you spend watching TV?"

Estoy de acuerdo - 003487d6, Dec 16, 2009

I agree. - --Mariana--, Dec 16, 2009

Answer 3

The sentences are fine.

But if you are addressing someone verbally, it is likely that you'd drop the final "you" in all your examples.

You are well on your way to mastering informal English. Your effort is a pleasure to follow.

Thank you. - nila45, Dec 17, 2009

Answer 4

Then, I would like to know if the use of how long is correct in the next sentences and the verb tenses that accompany them:

How long did the exercise take you?

I am wondering how long the exercise took you.

How much time did the exercise take you?

I am wondering how much time the exercise took you.

Answer 5

I cannot see the difference between "how much time" and "how long". Why did you change the sentence?. In Spanish, they are translated as: cuánto tiempo.

you answered your own question????? - Selena_Gomez2, Dec 16, 2009

Answer 6

I think I have just understood.

"How much time" is "qué cantidad de tiempo"

How much time can you spend watching TV?

¿Qué cantidad de tiempo puedes pasar viendo la televisión?

"How long" is "cuánto tiempo"

¿Cuánto tiempo serás capaz de ver la televisión?

If I translate it this way, then I seem to understand better. It was an unresolved question for me. Thank you, Nicole.