Winter is the coldest time of the year

Question

Winter is the coldest season of the year.

Winter is the coldest time of the year.

Summer is the hottest season of the year.

Summer is the hottest time of the year.

Spring is the warmest season of the year.

Spring is the warmest time of the year.

Mainly, I have a problem with the using of “time” and “warm”. Are these sentences correct?. I need your opinion as always.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Spring is the warmest season of the year.

Spring is the warmest time of the year.

The first 4 sentences about winter and summer are OK. But there is a slight problem with the 2 sentences about spring. If you say spring is the warmest season, that implies it is warmer than summer.
In most countries that would not be true.

Answer 2

Also in fluent/natural English we tend to drop the 'the' before year when using the word 'time', for example:

Summer is the hottest time of year.

This is OK in colloquial English, not in formal writing or speaking.

[The most wonderful time of the year [1]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2urlriwjcg

Answer 3

I agree that it is difficult to say that spring is 'warm' because it is hard to differenciate between hot and warm.

I would practise some other sentences that use warmest instead such as:

-This is the warmest cup of tea.

-Yesterday was the warmest day of the week.

-I was wearing my warmest jumper.

Also in fluent/natural English we tend to drop the 'the' before year when using the word 'time', for example:

Summer is the hottest time of year.

This just flows more naturally

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Hi,

It depends on how much you wish to analyise it, you will be understood as you have written it so don't worry too much.

In England, Summer is the warmest time of the year and Winter is the coldest time of the year. Spring is a warmer time than Winter, but, colder than Summer, as Autumn is a colder time than Summer, but, warmer than Winter.

To say, "Spring is the warmest season," contradicts what you have said, "Summer is the hottest season."

However, 'hot' implies, to be of a higher temperature than 'warm'.

Answer 5

Also in fluent/natural English we tend to drop the 'the' before year when using the word 'time', for example: Summer is the hottest time of year. This just flows more naturally Hope this helps!

Do you mean that, in formal English, you use to using "the" before year?.