I have a question about the word "around"?
What is the difference between "this time" and "this time around"?
and "first time" and "first time around"?

Thank you.

Question

I have a question about the word "around"?
What is the difference between "this time" and "this time around"?
and "first time" and "first time around"?

Thank you.

Answer

adding around - to me - suggests that the speaker has recognized a cycle quality to the event.  This means the speaker has verbally admitted that the event which has happened more than once may very well happen again.  without saying around, any understanding of the future cycle is less spoken.

Answer

This time = this time around
Last time = last time around

There is no difference between the phrases.