TELLING THE TIME

R U M A H B E L A J A R S I M P LY - L
 THE COMMON
QUESTION FORMS GIVING THE TIME
 we use to ask for the time right now are:  We use It is or It's to respond to the
 What time is it? questions that ask for the time right now.
 It is half past five (5:30).
 What is the time?
 It's ten to twelve (11:50)
 A more polite way to ask for the time,  We use the structure AT + time when
especially from a stranger is: giving the time of a specific event.
 Could you tell me the time please?  The bus arrives at midday (12:00).
 The common question forms we use to  The flight leaves at a quarter to two
ask at what time a specific event will (1:45).
happen are:  The concert begins at ten o'clock.
(10:00)
 What time does the flight to New
 We can also use subject pronouns in
York leave? these responses.
 When does the bus arrive from  It arrives at midday (12:00).
London?  It leaves at a quarter to two (1:45).
 When does the concert begin?  It begins at ten o'clock. (10:00)
 DIALOGUE 1 DIALOGUE 2
Lisa: What time is it? We’re going to be Ellon: What time is it?
late! Cia: It’s a quarter to five.
Velyn: It’sa quarter after seven. We’re Ellon: Aren’t we supposed to be
on time. Don’t panic. at Jim’s house by five o’clock?
Lisa: But I thought we had to be at the Cia: Five or five-thirty. He said it
restaurant by 7:30 for the surprise didn’t make any difference.
party. We’ll never make it there with Ellon: Then maybe we could pick
all this evening traffic. your suit up at the cleaners.
Velyn: Sure we will. Rush hour is Cia: Sure, we have plenty of time.
almost over. Anyway, the party starts
at 8:00. But I do need help with
directions. Can you call the restaurant
and ask them where we park our car?
 ARRIVAL TIME AIRPORT BUS
Arick: What time does Mother’s plane Cia: What time does the bus leave
get in? for the airport?
Ellon: I’m not sure, but I think at 2:35. Lisa: I don’t know. It used to leave
I’ll call the airline to make sure. every half hour, but I think the
Arick: Why don’t you do that while I schedule’s been changed.
change my clothes? Cia: Do you know the telephone
Ellon: Do you think Dick or Brenda number to call?
will want to go? Lisa: It’s Enterprise 7-4700. At least
Arick: I don’t know. I guess we could that’s what it used to be.
call them. Cia:Yeah, I’ll try it. (Pause) They
Ellon: I know Dick has to work, but don’t seem to answer.
maybe Brenda can go. Lisa: I expect that it’s a little too
Arick: Okay. Call her first, then the early. I don’t think they open until
airline. I’ll go get ready. nine o’clock
 AM VS PM
• We don't normally use the 24-hour clock in English.
• We use a.m. (am) for the morning
• We use p.m. (pm) for the afternoon and night.
• Example
–3am = Three o'clock in the morning.
–3pm = Three o'clock in the afternoon.
 THERE ARE TWO COMMON WAYS OF
TELLING THE TIME.
S AY T H E H O U R F I R S T A N D S AY T H E M I N U T E S F I R S T A N D
THEN THE MINUTES THEN THE HOUR.
(HOUR + MINUTES) ( M I N U T E S + PA S T / TO + H O U R )

6:25 - It's six twenty-five • For minutes 1-30 we use PAST after the
minutes.
8:05 - It's eight O-five • For minutes 31-59 we use TO after the
minutes.
• (the O is said like the letter O) • 2:35 - It's twenty-five to three
9:11 - It's nine eleven • 11:20 - It's twenty past eleven
• 4:18 - It's eighteen past four
2:34 - It's two thirty-four
• 8:51 - It's nine to nine
• 2:59 - It's one to three
 QUARTER HALF
• When it is 15 minutes past the • When it is 30 minutes past the
hour we normally say: (a) quarter hour we normally say: half past
past • 3:30 - It's half past three (but we
• 7:15 - It's (a) quarter past seven can also say three-thirty)
• When it is 15 minutes before the
hour we normally say: a quarter
to
• 12:45 - It's (a) quarter to one
 O'CLOCK 12:00

• We use o'clock when there are • For 12:00 there are four
NO minutes. expressions in English.
• 10:00 - It's ten o'clock • twelve o'clock
• 5:00 - It's five o'clock • midday = noon
• 1:00 - It's one o'clock • midnight
• Sometimes it is written as 9
o'clock (the number + o'clock)
• We use o'clock when the minute hand is at twelve
• We use 'past' when the minute hand is between twelve and six
• We use 'to' when the minute hand is between six and twelve
We use AT + TIME when giving the time of We use IT IS or IT’S to answer a question
specific event. that asks for the time right now.
 The class starts at nine 7 o’clock.  What time is it? – it is half past four.
 The flight leaves at ten to three.  What’s the time? – it’s twenty to five.
USE PAST AND TO

• 07.45 • A quarter to eight