Telling the time
To ask for the time, you can say:
-What time is it?
-What's the time?
When replying, you can use the following structures:
- It is + number of the hour + number of minutes (+ a.m./p.m.)
10:00 → It is ten (10) a.m.
22:20 → It is ten (10) twenty (20) p.m.
- It is + number of minutes + to/past + number of the hour.
8:50 → It is ten (10) to nine (9).
7:20 → It is twenty (20) past seven (7).
Other useful expressions you might need to tell somebody the time:
7:15 → It is (a) quarter past seven (7).
15:30 → It is half past three (3).
12:00 → It is twelve (12) o'clock.
Note: Use the 12-hour clock, specifying what time of day it is (morning, evening, a.m., p.m., etc.).
4:00 → 4 in the morning (or 4 a.m.)
15:00 → 3 in the afternoon (or 3 p.m.)
20:00 → 8 in the evening (or 8 p.m.)
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