Posts tagged everyday English

When you want to say the time, there are a number of different expressions you can use. Let’s look at these today. First of all, we use the expression tell the time or tell time:

• Children learn how to tell time when they are in kindergarten.
• My friend Jack can tell the time in five different languages.

When you read a digital clock, telling the time is straightforward. We usually just read the digits as shown on the clock, like this:

• 12:15 is read as twelve fifteen.
• 2:35 is read as two thirty-five.
• 5:50 is read as five fifty.

When you read an analog clock, you remember those, right? I’m talking about the round clocks with the hands. When reading those, you can also tell the time digital style, as above. In addition, there are some unique expressions we use:

When the time is 15 minutes past the hour, we usually say a quarter after (hr), so 2:15 is a quarter after two:

Between :01 and :29, we generally say (mm) after (hr), where mm is the minute and hr is the hour, so 2:20 is twenty after two:

When the time is 30 minutes past the hour we can say half past (hr), so 2:30 is half past two:

Note: In British English you can say two half for 2:30

Between :31 and :59, we generally say (mm) to (hr), where mm is the minute and hr is the hour, so 2:40 is twenty to three:

Following the above example, 2:50 would is ten to three, 2:55 is five to three, etc.

When the time is 45 minutes past the hour, we usually say a quarter to (hr), so 2:45 is a quarter to three:

Update! When the time is between :01 and :09, we usually read the 0 as oh, so 2:09 is two oh nine. (thanks Mary)

This is the basic way to tell time in English. What time do you usually wake up in the morning? I usually wake up at six fifteen. Leave a comment here and let me know.

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!

When you want to make a suggestion or an offer, you can use how about or what about. The meaning of both phrases is the same. After how about or what about you can use a noun, a pronoun, or a VerbING.

• Jack: Where should we hold the meeting?
• Bob: How about Room 6. It has a nice conference table.

• Tim: Who should we invite to the party?
• Jane: What about Cathy and Joe? They are a fun couple!

• Debbie: There are so many restaurants here. Where do you want to eat?
• Tammy: How about here? They has a lunch special.

• Kevin: What do you want do to tomorrow. The weather is going to be nice.
• Mike: What about playing tennis?

Have you made any suggestions recently? Do you have any suggestions for this blog? Leave a comment here and let me know.

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!