Buzz
Perhaps you find yourself working in a diverse international environment. Inevitably, regular communication in English, especially regarding time, becomes crucial. However, you might feel perplexed about responses, either due to lack of interest or insufficient English proficiency. Why not embark on a journey to learn English through the skill of reading time accurately? Every day, embrace a new vocabulary, a fresh structure, and who knows, one fine day, you might evolve into an 'English expert.'
But before reaching expertise, let's explore, with TechTipsSoftware.com, the intricacies of expressing time in English.
Mastering the Art of Reading Time in English
1. Expressing Time Ahead (Minutes <30)
In English, use the term 'past' to indicate time that has passed. The formula is as follows: minutes + past + hours.
Note: 15 minutes = a quarter
For example:
7:20 - twenty minutes past seven
11:20 - twenty minutes past eleven
4:18 - eighteen minutes past four
10:10 - ten minutes past ten
3:15 - a quarter past three
2. Expressing Time Lagging (Minutes >30)
When it comes to time lag, we use the term 'to.' The formula is: minutes + to + hours.
For example:
8:40 - twenty minutes to nine
1:55 - five minutes to two
2:35 - twenty-five minutes to three (3 hours and 25 minutes past two)
8:51 - nine minutes to nine ( 9 hours and 9 minutes past eight)
2:59 - one minute to three (3 hours and 1 minute past two)
Note:
+ When expressing time lag, it's crucial to recognize that:
minutes (in English) = 60 – minutes (in Vietnamese)
hours (in English) = hours (in Vietnamese) + 1
+ Use 'to' and 'past' to express time ahead and time lag.
3. Universal Approach for both Time Ahead and Time Lag: Precede hours, follow minutes
Example 1:
1:58 - one fifty-eight
8:05 - eight O-five
9:11 - nine eleven
3:45 - three forty-five
For minutes less than 10 => add a 0 before the number
Example 2: 05 is read as 0-five (incorrect: five alone)
4. Some Special Cases in Telling Time.
Utilize 'a quarter past' for 15 minutes.
For example:
7:15 - a quarter past seven --> 7 hours 15 minutes
12:45 - a quarter to one --> 13 hours and 15 minutes past twelve
Utilize: half past (for 30 minutes)
For example: 3:30 - half past three
Note: In this case, we use only 'half past' and not 'half to.'
When the current time is a full hour with no minutes, we use: O'clock
10:00 - ten o'clock --> 10 hours exactly
5:00 - five o'clock --> 5 hours exactly
1:00 - one o'clock --> 1 hour exactly
Some Questions About Asking Time in English
What’s the time?–> What time is it now?
What is the current time? –>What time is it now?
Could you check the time for me, please?–> Could you kindly let me know the current time?
Do you happen to know the time? –>Do you have information about the current time?
Do you know what the time is? –>Are you aware of the current time?
The formula for asking about time, events, etc., is as follows:
What time does S+V
Or when does S+V
For example:
What time will the movie start? --> At what time is the movie scheduled to begin?
When is the movie starting? --> At which time is the movie commencing?
Could you inform me of the current time, please?
The common question structure we use to inquire about the timing of a specific event is:
What time...?
When...?
At what time is the departure for the New York flight?
When is the arrival of the bus from London?
When does the concert start? (When does the concert commence?)
How to Respond to Time Queries in English
it’s … (it is currently …)
exactly … (precisely … hours)
approximately ... (approximately … hours)
almost …(almost … hours)
just passed … (slightly over … hours)
How to Express:
my watch is ... (my watch is running …)
fast quickly
slow slowly
that clock’s a little ... (that clock is slightly …)
fast (quickly)
slow (at a slow pace)
By now, I wonder if our dear readers have grasped the art of reading and responding to time in English? If you find this article helpful, share it with friends for them to learn English too, and don't forget to leave comments below for TechTipsSoftware.com to know you've read the article.
