[Vocabulary] Words that go with 'time'

[poljakovski2]

Hi!
I'd be really grateful if somebody answered a question I have. Here it is:
Is the sentence "I'm having a very good and helpful time" correct?
I think that 'helpful' is not suitable, and should be replaced by 'useful' or 'fruitful'.
What do you think? Can you give any other suggestions?
Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[tedmc]

You say, 'I am having a good time', but not, 'I am having a useful helpful/useful/fruitful time'.
It is the activity that you do within a given time that is helpful/useful/fruitful e.g. holding a meeting/discussion.
Time is neutral. It depends on how you make use of it that you get results.

not a teacher

 

[MikeNewYork]

You might want to consider "productive".

 

[poljakovski2]

Thanks a lot!
That sentence is a part of a student's composition.
She wrote "I'm having a very good and helpful time. It is helpful because I am practising my English."

 

[JMurray]

not a teacher

I agree that the sentence you've given us is not particularly natural, and that "productive" would be a good alternative. However, I can't agree with tedmc's suggestion that "fruitful time" is not valid in any context. In fact, I would say that it's a fairly common expression.

Three examples from the fraze.it site:
It is a day of feasting and merriment before the hard, tiring but fruitful time ahead. (en.wikipedia.org)
The 1970s were a fruitful time for feminist plays with unwieldy titles. (stltoday.com)
Collectively working together makes for a fruitful time. (guardian.co.uk)

There are also plenty of examples for "useful time".
However, as protector of the monarchy this was her most useful time. (economist.com)
Kevin Pietersen had some useful time in the middle, until being undone by an excellent ball. (telegraph.com.uk)