How to Tell Time in English (Beginner Guide)
Learning how to say the time in English is important for everyday life. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand hours and telling time.
The Basics
In English, we use a 12-hour clock. This means we say the time with AM (morning) and PM (afternoon and evening).
- AM: From midnight (12:00) to noon (12:00).
- PM: From noon (12:00) to midnight (12:00).
How to Say the Time
- O’clock: We say “o’clock” for exact hours. For example:
- 6:00 → “It’s six o’clock.”
- 10:00 → “It’s ten o’clock.”
- Half past: We say “half past” for 30 minutes past the hour. For example:
- 7:30 → “It’s half past seven.”
- Quarter past: We say “quarter past” for 15 minutes past the hour. For example:
- 3:15 → “It’s quarter past three.”
- Quarter to: We say “quarter to” for 15 minutes before the next hour. For example:
- 8:45 → “It’s quarter to nine.”
Practice Time in English
What time is it now? Try practicing these phrases to get better at telling time in English!
Other Games for English Grammar
Play the games for Simple Present Tense
How to Study Time in English
To study how to tell time in English, start by learning the basics like the difference between AM (morning) and PM (afternoon and evening). Practice reading clocks and using common phrases such as “o’clock” for exact hours, “half past” for 30 minutes, and “quarter past” or “quarter to” for 15 minutes before or after the hour. Listening to native speakers or using time-telling apps can help you improve. Regular practice, especially by asking and answering questions about the time, will make it easier to understand and use time expressions naturally.
Hours Song
(Verse 1)
🎶 What time is it? It is…
Five past, ten past, half-past two,
Tell the time, it’s easy to do! 🎶
(Verse 2)
🎶 What time’s the movie? It’s at…
Quarter to five, or six on the dot,
Let’s be there early, don’t miss a spot! 🎶
(Chorus)
🎶 Quarter past, quarter to,
Time flies by, for me and you!
Half-past one, half-past four,
What’s the time? Let’s check once more! 🎶
You can read the following story for practicing: Funny Tourist Story: Lost in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Tour
Other Resources
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/time
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