Can time exist without matter?

The laws of physics break down at the instant of the big bang. We can only understand what the universe was likely shortly after it occurred (or began to occur.) For this reason, it's impossible for us to say what the universe was like at the moment it began, or at anytime before it began. Perhaps we will have an idea one day. Some theories, such as M Theory, give us tantalizing clues.

1) Can time exist without matter?

Yes. In physics, for example, electromagnetic radiation ("light") requires time for existence. Time exists and "passes" and influences things (energy) whether or not matter is present.

2) then some people say that the universe is therefore not eternal, having started with the BB. This assumes that time also started then.

This is accurate. According to Einstein's theory, our Universe is not merely made up of space but - instead - space-time, a composite of the two. Time as we know it probably does not exist outside of our Universe.

3) In that absence of matter and all other stuff we observe to see change and thus measure time, is there time?

Not as we know it: not the space-time of which our Universe consists. However, that does not mean that there is no time at all - though such a thing is certainly possible.

It's interesting to consider that if there *is* no time outside of our Universe, then those things (such as God) who can exist outside our Universe exist separately from time. From our perspective, such a being would exist in all times "simultaneously" (not the correct word to use), adding "omnitemporal" to all of the other "omnis" associated with God.

- Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/

Yes time can exist without matter. There would just be no way of measuring it and it would be totally irrelevant.

It's the same question as "If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one to hear it, does it make a sound." There is no one to hear or interpret the sound but yes it still makes a sound. Sound waves still exist.

Time is only a word. A concept invented by the human mind to ease the passing of our bodies.

My guess is that time was invented because we realized that the matter we live with was constantly changing. The fruits we picked at the beginning of our existence eventually rotted on the tree, so we invented a manner of counting "time" to harvest at the right "time". At first by counting the moons, and eventually evolution has led us to become very obsessed with time and wanting to have more and more precise ways of calculating it accurately.

Those are my thoughts.

Matter, energy, and space/time, as we know them, are products of that 'Big Bang'.

A popular explanation I have read mentions " ... a fluctuation in the quantum field...",

(in ten or more dimensions).

Now a 'field' does pre-suppose a 'space', and 'fluctuation', something akin to a 'time',

but almost certainly not as we experience those things.

It is thought that our space/time/mass/energy continuum is a unique accident.

Time is a concept that has units of measure. Just like distance is a concept that has units of measure.

Both time and distance exist, even if there were no people around to measure them.

The distance between two points, and the time required for light to go from one point to another still exist, even if no one is there to witness them.

Our definition of "time" can't really exist without humans, as it's a man-made system. I would assume it still exists, considering humans weren't around during the first days of the earth. Isn't this kinda like a "if the tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" kind of deal?

Time is always present. Time is an element that has no boundaries or restrictions. Time moves everything and is always part of every equation. Without time nothing could exist.

Interesting question. I actually think not. Space, matter, and time are all interconnected. I believe they exist as a whole. Hypothetically, I assume might might say yes; but in actuality???

Time is a construct of our limited understanding of the universe.

I deleted the rest of my answer.