Expressing Time

For beginners

Expressing time is not just about time and numbers. In this lesson, we will learn how to tell time and learn more about it.

How to Express Time?

Expressing time involves talking about a specific time using numbers, usually hours, minutes, and seconds.

How to Ask About Time?

Expressions like 'what time is it?' or 'what's the time?' are used to ask about the current time. It is the most common way to ask about time. The answer to this question starts with 'it is ...'.

What time is it? It’s 6 o’clock.

What's the time? It’s six fifty.

The interrogative adverb when is used to ask about the time of an event. For example; a movie, a concert, etc.

When is the movie? It’s at 8.

When is the concert? It’s at 10.

O’clock, Quarter, Half

The term 'o'clock' is short for 'of the clock' and is used to indicate the exact hour of the day. Each hour is 60 minutes, and a 'quarter' of an hour is 15 minutes. Similarly, 'half' an hour is equivalent to 30 minutes, as half represents the fraction 1/2.

2:00 → 'It’s two o’clock'

3:15 → 'It’s three-fifteen' or 'It’s a quarter past three'

12:30 → 'It’s twelve thirty' or 'It’s half past twelve' or 'It’s half to one'

Tip!

Using numbers is a simple way of reading the minutes. Take a look at some examples:

3:15 → It's three fifteen.

7:30 → It's seven thirty.

11:45 → It's eleven forty-five.

Parts of the Day

To talk about any time before noon, 'AM' is used. To talk about any time after noon, PM is used.

1:00 → It is 1 in the afternoon or it’s 1 PM.

6:00 → It is 6 in the morning so it’s 6 AM.

12:00 → It’s 12 PM or it’s noon.

12:00 → It’s 12 AM or it’s midnight.

Prepositions of Time

Various prepositions such as after, to, and past are used when talking about time.

10:20 → It’s ten twenty or it’s twenty after ten.

03:50 → It’s three fifty or it’s ten to four.

8:15 → It’s eight fifteen or It’s a quarter past eight.

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How to Express Time?
How to Ask About Time?
O’clock, Quarter, Half
Parts of the Day
Prepositions of Time

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