Learn how to tell the time in English.
In English, the 12-hour clock is normally used for telling the time. The 24-hour clock is only used for travel timetables.
Asking the time
what's the time? |
what time is it? |
could you tell me the time, please? |
do you happen to have the time? |
do you know what time it is? |
Telling the time
it's … |
exactly ... |
about ... |
almost ... |
just gone ... |
one o'clock |
two o'clock |
three o'clock |
four o'clock |
five o'clock |
six o'clock |
seven o'clock |
eight o'clock |
nine o'clock |
ten o'clock |
eleven o'clock |
twelve o'clock |
quarter past … |
one |
two |
three |
half past … |
one |
two |
three |
English phrase guide | |
---|---|
Page 15 of 61 | |
➔
Time expressions |
Dates
➔ |
quarter to … |
one |
two |
three |
five past one |
ten past one |
twenty past one |
twenty-five past one |
five to two |
ten to two |
twenty to two |
twenty-five to two |
ten fifteen |
ten thirty |
ten forty-five |
ten am |
six pm |
noon or midday |
midnight |
It's also possible to state the time in English by saying the hour followed by the minutes, followed by am or pm if necessary, eg:
11.47am |
2.13pm |
Clocks
my watch is … |
fast |
slow |
that clock's a little … |
fast |
slow |