In My Spare Time vs On My Spare Time is a common English usage question, especially for learners who are unsure which preposition fits the phrase. The standard expression is “in my spare time,” which refers to the time you have available for hobbies, relaxation, learning, or other personal activities.
For example:
I read novels in my spare time.
She practices Spanish in her spare time.
By contrast, “on my spare time” is not the standard expression when you mean your available personal time. The confusion may come from the correct phrase “on my own time,” which has a different meaning and use.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why “in my spare time” is the standard expression
- How “in my spare time” differs from “on my spare time” and “on my own time”
Understanding the difference will help you choose the right preposition and use the expression naturally in everyday, academic, and professional English.
In My Spare Time vs. On My Spare Time: The Quick Answer
The simplest answer is: use in my spare time when you mean the time available for personal activities.
| Expression | Standard? | Meaning |
| in my spare time | Yes | During time available for personal activities |
| on my spare time | No | Not the standard expression |
| in my free time | Yes | During time when you are free |
| during my spare time | Yes, depending on context | At some point within that period |
| on my own time | Yes | During time that is not officially work time |
For example, if someone asks:
What do you do in your spare time?
You can answer:
I watch movies in my spare time.
I take online courses in my spare time.
I enjoy gardening in my spare time.
What Does “In My Spare Time” Mean?
In my spare time means during the time when you are free from work, study, or other things you need to do. Spare time refers to time when you are not working or do not have something you must do.
You can use the expression for hobbies, learning, reading, exercise, entertainment, or relaxation.
For example:
I read English books in my spare time.
He learns new computer skills in his spare time.
We usually go for walks in our spare time.
The phrase can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence:
In my spare time, I enjoy painting.
I enjoy painting in my spare time.
Both positions are natural.
Examples of “In My Spare Time”
The expression works with many different activities.
Hobbies:
I play the guitar in my spare time.
Learning:
She studies French in her spare time.
Reading:
I like reading history books in my spare time.
Relaxation:
He watches documentaries in his spare time.
Personal interests:
I work on photography projects in my spare time.
The activity can vary. The phrase simply tells the reader when the activity takes place.
Why Do We Say “In My Spare Time”?
The choice of in is part of the established English expression in my spare time. Here, spare time refers to a period during which an activity can take place.
A useful pattern to remember is:
in + my/your/his/her + spare time
For example:
- in my spare time
- in your spare time
- in her spare time
- in his spare time
- in their spare time
However, this does not mean that in works with every time expression. English uses different prepositions with different expressions:
on Monday
at 5 p.m.
in July
in my spare time
Therefore, it is better to learn in my spare time as an established phrase rather than trying to choose the preposition from a general rule about time.
Think of Spare Time as a Period
One helpful way to understand the expression is to think of spare time as a period available for an activity.
I practice writing in my spare time.
The writing takes place within that period.
The same pattern appears in in my free time:
I exercise in my free time.
So, rather than transferring on from another time expression, learn the natural combination as a whole.
Why Is “On My Spare Time” Not Standard English?
“On my spare time” is not the standard expression for talking about activities you do during your available personal time.
You might choose on because English uses it with familiar expressions such as:
on Monday
on Friday
on the weekend
However, one preposition cannot automatically replace another in every time expression. English has many established combinations, and spare time takes in in this expression.
Compare:
I read in my spare time.
Not:
I read on my spare time.
The same applies to questions:
What do you do in your spare time?
Not:
What do you do on your spare time?
Don’t Confuse “On My Spare Time” With “On My Own Time”
There is an important difference between on my spare time and on my own time.
On my own time is a correct expression. In US English, it can refer to time when you are not officially working.
For example:
I completed the training on my own time.
This can indicate that the training happened outside officially scheduled work time.
By contrast:
I study English in my spare time.
Here, the focus is simply on an activity you do during your available personal time.
So, remember the distinction:
- in my spare time = during available personal time
- on my own time = during personal time rather than official work time
In My Spare Time vs. In My Free Time
“In my spare time” and “in my free time” are both natural expressions. In many everyday situations, they can be used interchangeably.
For example:
I read novels in my spare time.
I read novels in my free time.
Both sentences describe reading during a period when you are not occupied with your regular responsibilities.
There can be a slight difference in emphasis. Spare time can suggest time left over after necessary activities, while free time more directly emphasizes that you are not busy.
In ordinary conversation, however, the difference is usually small.
Can You Say “During My Spare Time”?
Yes. “During my spare time” can be grammatical when you want to emphasize the period in which something happens.
For example:
I listened to podcasts during my spare time at work.
However, “in my spare time” is usually the more natural choice for general statements about hobbies and personal activities.
Compare:
I read books in my spare time.
I read books during my spare time.
The first sounds more natural as a general statement about a hobby. The second places more emphasis on the period during which the activity occurred.
So, when you simply want to describe your hobbies, in my spare time is usually the better choice.
Common Mistakes With Spare Time
Learners may change the preposition because they are familiar with other English time expressions.
| Less natural or nonstandard expression | Natural alternative |
| on my spare time | in my spare time |
| at my spare time | in my spare time |
| on my free time | in my free time |
| during my spare time | in my spare time in many general statements |
The last example needs some care. During my spare time is not necessarily wrong. It can work when the sentence focuses on a particular period or event. However, in my spare time is the established choice for general statements about what you do when you are free.
For everyday use, the safest pattern is:
in my spare time
How to Use “In My Spare Time” in Real Situations
The phrase works naturally in everyday conversations, professional discussions, writing, and online profiles.
In Everyday Conversation
You can use it when talking about hobbies and interests.
A common question is:
What do you do in your spare time?
Natural answers include:
I usually read novels in my spare time.
I like watching documentaries in my spare time.
I practice photography in my spare time.
You can also place the phrase first:
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking.
In Job Interviews
The expression can be useful when an interviewer asks about your interests outside work.
For example:
In my spare time, I take online courses and practice my English.
If the activity relates to the position, you can make that connection clear:
In my spare time, I take courses to improve my digital marketing skills.
A specific answer is more informative than a vague statement such as:
I do many things in my spare time.
In Professional Writing
The phrase is grammatically appropriate in professional writing, although its usefulness depends on the document.
For example:
In my spare time, I volunteer at a local community center.
This works when the personal activity is relevant to the context.
In some professional writing, you may instead want to focus directly on the activity:
I regularly volunteer at a local community center.
The second sentence emphasizes the activity rather than when you do it.
In Emails and Online Profiles
You can naturally use in my spare time when briefly describing personal interests.
For example:
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, learning new software, and taking online courses.
This allows you to mention hobbies without presenting them as professional qualifications.
Using “In My Spare Time” on a Resume
You can use in my spare time on a resume when the information adds useful context. However, hobbies do not always need to appear on a resume.
For example:
In my spare time, I take online courses in digital marketing.
The sentence is grammatically correct. However, if the course is relevant to the job, it may be more useful to list the training directly in an education or professional-development section.
Weak vs. Specific Examples
Compare these sentences:
I work in my spare time.
In my spare time, I take online courses in digital marketing.
The first is vague. It does not tell the reader what type of work you mean.
The second gives specific information about the activity and its subject.
For professional documents, specific details can communicate more than a general statement about how you spend your spare time.
Alternatives to “In My Spare Time”
Several expressions can communicate a similar idea, depending on the context.
Common Alternatives
In my free time
I read in my free time.
When I have free time
I practice English when I have free time.
When I have some spare time
I watch documentaries when I have some spare time.
During my free time
I listen to podcasts during my free time.
In my leisure time
He enjoys painting in his leisure time.
On my own time
I completed the training on my own time.
Outside of work
I study web design outside of work.
These expressions are related, but they are not always exact substitutes.
Choosing the Right Expression
Use in my spare time or in my free time when you are talking generally about hobbies, interests, or activities you do when you are not busy.
Use on my own time when the distinction between official work time and personal time matters.
Use outside of work when you want to make the work-versus-personal-time distinction clear.
Also, keep these related expressions separate:
- spare time — time available when you are not occupied with required activities
- free time — time when you are free or not busy
- time off — a period away from work or another regular responsibility
- time to myself — time that emphasizes being alone
Examples: Correct and Incorrect Usage
Correct Examples
I read in my spare time.
In my spare time, I practice English.
She takes online courses in her spare time.
What do you usually do in your spare time?
He plays football in his spare time.
We enjoy gardening in our spare time.
I learn new software in my spare time.
Incorrect or Nonstandard Examples
I read on my spare time.
Correct: I read in my spare time.
She studies on her spare time.
Correct: She studies in her spare time.
What do you do on your spare time?
Correct: What do you do in your spare time?
I exercise at my spare time.
Correct: I exercise in my spare time.
The issue in each example is the preposition. For this meaning, the natural expression uses in before my, your, his, or her spare time.
Quick Correction Table
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I read on my spare time. | I read in my spare time. |
| She studies on her spare time. | She studies in her spare time. |
| What do you do on your spare time? | What do you do in your spare time? |
| I exercise at my spare time. | I exercise in my spare time. |
A Simple Way to Remember the Correct Expression
The easiest method is to learn the complete phrase:
in my spare time
Do not choose the preposition by comparing it with expressions such as on Monday or at 5 p.m. Those expressions follow their own established patterns.
You can also connect it with:
in my free time
Both expressions use in:
- in my spare time
- in my free time
Once you remember this pattern, “on my spare time” becomes easier to recognize as the wrong choice for this meaning.
FAQs
Is “In My Spare Time” Grammatically Correct?
Yes. “In my spare time” is the standard expression for talking about activities you do when you are free from work, study, or other required activities.
Is “On My Spare Time” Ever Correct?
Not as the standard expression meaning “during my available personal time.” Use “in my spare time” instead.
Do not confuse it with “on my own time,” which is a separate and correct expression.
Why Do People Confuse “In” and “On” in This Expression?
English uses different prepositions with different time expressions. Learners may know phrases such as on Monday or on Friday and assume that on can also be used with spare time.
However, prepositions do not transfer automatically from one time expression to another. Some combinations are established expressions that you need to learn as a whole.
Is “In My Spare Time” the Same as “In My Free Time”?
They are very similar and are often interchangeable.
I read in my spare time.
I read in my free time.
Both describe reading during a period when you are not busy with your regular responsibilities.
Can I Say “During My Spare Time”?
Yes. “During my spare time” can be grammatical, especially when you want to emphasize the period in which something happens.
For a general statement about hobbies, however, “in my spare time” is usually the more natural choice.
What Is the Difference Between “In My Spare Time” and “On My Own Time”?
In my spare time refers generally to activities you do when you are free.
On my own time can emphasize that something happens during personal time rather than official work time.
For example:
I read novels in my spare time.
I completed the training on my own time.
The second sentence more clearly highlights the distinction between official work time and personal time.
Is “In My Spare Time” Appropriate for a Resume?
Yes, it is grammatically appropriate. Whether you should include it depends on whether the information is useful for the position.
When possible, give a specific activity rather than a vague statement:
In my spare time, I take online courses in digital marketing.
If the training is professionally relevant, you may be better off listing the course directly in a professional-development or education section.
Is “In My Spare Time” Formal or Informal?
It works in both everyday and professional English. The phrase itself is neutral and natural.
The level of formality depends more on the surrounding sentence and context than on the expression itself.
Key Takeaways
- In my spare time is the standard expression.
- On my spare time is not the standard form for this meaning.
- In my free time is a natural alternative.
- During my spare time can be grammatical, but in my spare time is usually more natural for general statements.
- On my own time is correct but has a different meaning.
- Learn in my spare time as a complete English expression instead of transferring the preposition from another time phrase.
Conclusion
If you are choosing between “in my spare time” and “on my spare time,” use “in my spare time.” It is the standard way to describe activities you do when you are free from work, study, or other regular responsibilities.
You can also use “in my free time” in many of the same situations. If you mean that something happens outside officially scheduled work time, “on my own time” may be more appropriate.
The key distinction is simple: I read in my spare time, not I read on my spare time. Learning the phrase as a complete expression makes the correct preposition easier to use naturally.
In My Spare Time vs. On My Spare Time: Which Is Correct?
If you are wondering whether to say “in my spare time” or “on my spare time,” the standard expression is “in my spare time.” It refers to the time you have available when you are not working, studying, or dealing with something you must do.
I read novels in my spare time.
She practices Spanish in her spare time.
By contrast, “on my spare time” is not the standard expression for this meaning. You may be thinking of “on my own time,” which is correct but has a different use.
In My Spare Time vs. On My Spare Time: The Quick Answer
The simplest answer is: use in my spare time when you mean the time available for personal activities.
| Expression | Standard? | Meaning |
| in my spare time | Yes | During time available for personal activities |
| on my spare time | No | Not the standard expression |
| in my free time | Yes | During time when you are free |
| during my spare time | Yes, depending on context | At some point within that period |
| on my own time | Yes | During time that is not officially work time |
For example, if someone asks:
What do you do in your spare time?
You can answer:
I watch movies in my spare time.
I take online courses in my spare time.
I enjoy gardening in my spare time.
What Does “In My Spare Time” Mean?
In my spare time means during the time when you are free from work, study, or other things you need to do. Spare time refers to time when you are not working or do not have something you must do.
You can use the expression for hobbies, learning, reading, exercise, entertainment, or relaxation.
For example:
I read English books in my spare time.
He learns new computer skills in his spare time.
We usually go for walks in our spare time.
The phrase can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence:
In my spare time, I enjoy painting.
I enjoy painting in my spare time.
Both positions are natural.
Examples of “In My Spare Time”
The expression works with many different activities.
Hobbies:
I play the guitar in my spare time.
Learning:
She studies French in her spare time.
Reading:
I like reading history books in my spare time.
Relaxation:
He watches documentaries in his spare time.
Personal interests:
I work on photography projects in my spare time.
The activity can vary. The phrase simply tells the reader when the activity takes place.
Why Do We Say “In My Spare Time”?
The choice of in is part of the established English expression in my spare time. Here, spare time refers to a period during which an activity can take place.
A useful pattern to remember is:
in + my/your/his/her + spare time
For example:
- in my spare time
- in your spare time
- in her spare time
- in his spare time
- in their spare time
However, this does not mean that in works with every time expression. English uses different prepositions with different expressions:
on Monday
at 5 p.m.
in July
in my spare time
Therefore, it is better to learn in my spare time as an established phrase rather than trying to choose the preposition from a general rule about time.
Think of Spare Time as a Period
One helpful way to understand the expression is to think of spare time as a period available for an activity.
I practice writing in my spare time.
The writing takes place within that period.
The same pattern appears in in my free time:
I exercise in my free time.
So, rather than transferring on from another time expression, learn the natural combination as a whole.
Why Is “On My Spare Time” Not Standard English?
“On my spare time” is not the standard expression for talking about activities you do during your available personal time.
You might choose on because English uses it with familiar expressions such as:
on Monday
on Friday
on the weekend
However, one preposition cannot automatically replace another in every time expression. English has many established combinations, and spare time takes in in this expression.
Compare:
I read in my spare time.
Not:
I read on my spare time.
The same applies to questions:
What do you do in your spare time?
Not:
What do you do on your spare time?
Don’t Confuse “On My Spare Time” With “On My Own Time”
There is an important difference between on my spare time and on my own time.
On my own time is a correct expression. In US English, it can refer to time when you are not officially working.
For example:
I completed the training on my own time.
This can indicate that the training happened outside officially scheduled work time.
By contrast:
I study English in my spare time.
Here, the focus is simply on an activity you do during your available personal time.
So, remember the distinction:
- in my spare time = during available personal time
- on my own time = during personal time rather than official work time
In My Spare Time vs. In My Free Time
“In my spare time” and “in my free time” are both natural expressions. In many everyday situations, they can be used interchangeably.
For example:
I read novels in my spare time.
I read novels in my free time.
Both sentences describe reading during a period when you are not occupied with your regular responsibilities.
There can be a slight difference in emphasis. Spare time can suggest time left over after necessary activities, while free time more directly emphasizes that you are not busy.
In ordinary conversation, however, the difference is usually small.
Can You Say “During My Spare Time”?
Yes. “During my spare time” can be grammatical when you want to emphasize the period in which something happens.
For example:
I listened to podcasts during my spare time at work.
However, “in my spare time” is usually the more natural choice for general statements about hobbies and personal activities.
Compare:
I read books in my spare time.
I read books during my spare time.
The first sounds more natural as a general statement about a hobby. The second places more emphasis on the period during which the activity occurred.
So, when you simply want to describe your hobbies, in my spare time is usually the better choice.
Common Mistakes With Spare Time
Learners may change the preposition because they are familiar with other English time expressions.
| Less natural or nonstandard expression | Natural alternative |
| on my spare time | in my spare time |
| at my spare time | in my spare time |
| on my free time | in my free time |
| during my spare time | in my spare time in many general statements |
The last example needs some care. During my spare time is not necessarily wrong. It can work when the sentence focuses on a particular period or event. However, in my spare time is the established choice for general statements about what you do when you are free.
For everyday use, the safest pattern is:
in my spare time
How to Use “In My Spare Time” in Real Situations
The phrase works naturally in everyday conversations, professional discussions, writing, and online profiles.
In Everyday Conversation
You can use it when talking about hobbies and interests.
A common question is:
What do you do in your spare time?
Natural answers include:
I usually read novels in my spare time.
I like watching documentaries in my spare time.
I practice photography in my spare time.
You can also place the phrase first:
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking.
In Job Interviews
The expression can be useful when an interviewer asks about your interests outside work.
For example:
In my spare time, I take online courses and practice my English.
If the activity relates to the position, you can make that connection clear:
In my spare time, I take courses to improve my digital marketing skills.
A specific answer is more informative than a vague statement such as:
I do many things in my spare time.
In Professional Writing
The phrase is grammatically appropriate in professional writing, although its usefulness depends on the document.
For example:
In my spare time, I volunteer at a local community center.
This works when the personal activity is relevant to the context.
In some professional writing, you may instead want to focus directly on the activity:
I regularly volunteer at a local community center.
The second sentence emphasizes the activity rather than when you do it.
In Emails and Online Profiles
You can naturally use in my spare time when briefly describing personal interests.
For example:
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, learning new software, and taking online courses.
This allows you to mention hobbies without presenting them as professional qualifications.
Using “In My Spare Time” on a Resume
You can use in my spare time on a resume when the information adds useful context. However, hobbies do not always need to appear on a resume.
For example:
In my spare time, I take online courses in digital marketing.
The sentence is grammatically correct. However, if the course is relevant to the job, it may be more useful to list the training directly in an education or professional-development section.
Weak vs. Specific Examples
Compare these sentences:
I work in my spare time.
In my spare time, I take online courses in digital marketing.
The first is vague. It does not tell the reader what type of work you mean.
The second gives specific information about the activity and its subject.
For professional documents, specific details can communicate more than a general statement about how you spend your spare time.
Alternatives to “In My Spare Time”
Several expressions can communicate a similar idea, depending on the context.
Common Alternatives
In my free time
I read in my free time.
When I have free time
I practice English when I have free time.
When I have some spare time
I watch documentaries when I have some spare time.
During my free time
I listen to podcasts during my free time.
In my leisure time
He enjoys painting in his leisure time.
On my own time
I completed the training on my own time.
Outside of work
I study web design outside of work.
These expressions are related, but they are not always exact substitutes.
Choosing the Right Expression
Use in my spare time or in my free time when you are talking generally about hobbies, interests, or activities you do when you are not busy.
Use on my own time when the distinction between official work time and personal time matters.
Use outside of work when you want to make the work-versus-personal-time distinction clear.
Also, keep these related expressions separate:
- spare time — time available when you are not occupied with required activities
- free time — time when you are free or not busy
- time off — a period away from work or another regular responsibility
- time to myself — time that emphasizes being alone
Examples: Correct and Incorrect Usage
Correct Examples
I read in my spare time.
In my spare time, I practice English.
She takes online courses in her spare time.
What do you usually do in your spare time?
He plays football in his spare time.
We enjoy gardening in our spare time.
I learn new software in my spare time.
Incorrect or Nonstandard Examples
I read on my spare time.
Correct: I read in my spare time.
She studies on her spare time.
Correct: She studies in her spare time.
What do you do on your spare time?
Correct: What do you do in your spare time?
I exercise at my spare time.
Correct: I exercise in my spare time.
The issue in each example is the preposition. For this meaning, the natural expression uses in before my, your, his, or her spare time.
Quick Correction Table
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I read on my spare time. | I read in my spare time. |
| She studies on her spare time. | She studies in her spare time. |
| What do you do on your spare time? | What do you do in your spare time? |
| I exercise at my spare time. | I exercise in my spare time. |
A Simple Way to Remember the Correct Expression
The easiest method is to learn the complete phrase:
in my spare time
Do not choose the preposition by comparing it with expressions such as on Monday or at 5 p.m. Those expressions follow their own established patterns.
You can also connect it with:
in my free time
Both expressions use in:
- in my spare time
- in my free time
Once you remember this pattern, “on my spare time” becomes easier to recognize as the wrong choice for this meaning.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use “in my spare time” at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes. Both positions are natural:
In my spare time, I read novels.
I read novels in my spare time.
Choose the position that makes the sentence flow naturally.
Q2. Can “spare time” be used without “my”?
Yes. The possessive depends on whose time you mean.
What do you do in your spare time?
She reads in her spare time.
They play football in their spare time.
Q3. Is “spare time” one word or two words?
Spare time is written as two words. It is a noun phrase meaning time when you are free from work or other required activities.
Q4. Can I say “in spare time” without a possessive?
Usually, in my spare time, in your spare time, or another determiner sounds more natural when referring to a person’s available time.
For example:
I read in my spare time.
Rather than:
I read in spare time.
Q5. Is “in my spare time” suitable for a job interview?
Yes. It is a natural expression in an interview, especially when discussing hobbies, interests, or activities related to learning and professional development.
For example:
In my spare time, I take online courses and practice my English.
Q6. Can “spare time” refer to time outside study as well as work?
Yes. Spare time is not limited to work. It can refer to time when you are free from study, work, household responsibilities, or other things you need to do.
Conclusion
When you mean the time available for hobbies, learning, relaxation, or personal activities, use in my spare time. On my spare time is not the standard expression for this meaning.
You can also use in my free time in similar situations. If you are talking specifically about doing something outside official work hours, on my own time may fit better. The easiest approach is to learn in my spare time as a complete expression.
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