TIME IN ENGLISH | What time is it?

Summary

In this lesson by Arnel from Arnel's Everyday English, learners will gain confidence in telling time in English. Arnel explains the basics of reading both analog and digital clocks, using expressions like 'It's one o'clock,' and how to be more specific with time, such as 'quarter past' and 'half past.' The video covers both informal and formal time-telling, including AM/PM, noon, and midnight. Additionally, Arnel introduces the 24-hour clock system and common expressions like 'Around' to indicate an approximate time. Viewers will learn how to ask for time and practice expressing time for everyday situations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Telling time in English involves using the phrase 'It's' (e.g., 'It's one o'clock').
• 😀 In casual English, we typically omit 'AM' and 'PM' unless specific clarification is needed.
• 😀 12 o'clock can refer to noon or midnight, depending on the context.
• 😀 Noon is used for 12 o'clock in the afternoon, while midnight is 12 o'clock at night.
• 😀 Digital time is read left to right (e.g., '1:05' is 'One oh five').
• 😀 Time can also be expressed using 'past' and 'to' (e.g., 'five past one' or 'quarter to two').
• 😀 'Quarter past' refers to 15 minutes after the hour, and 'quarter to' refers to 15 minutes before the next hour.
• 😀 'Half past' is used for 30 minutes past the hour (e.g., 'half past one').
• 😀 For a more casual approach, you can use 'around' to express approximate times (e.g., 'around nine').
• 😀 When referring to the start or end of an activity, we use 'at' (e.g., 'The lesson starts at nine in the morning').

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is telling time in English.

What is the difference between a clock and a watch?

A clock is a timekeeping device typically fixed in a location, while a watch is a portable, wearable timekeeping device.

How do we typically refer to the time in English?

In English, we typically refer to the time by saying 'It is' or the contracted form 'It's'. For example, 'It's two o'clock'.

What is the significance of using AM and PM when telling time?

AM and PM are used to distinguish between morning and evening times, but in everyday conversations, they are often implied unless specific clarification is needed.

What is the term for 12:00 PM in English?

12:00 PM is commonly referred to as 'noon' or 'midday'.

What is the term for 12:00 AM in English?

12:00 AM is referred to as 'midnight'.

How do you read times on a digital clock?

You read times on a digital clock by saying each number, including '0' as 'oh'. For example, 'One oh five' or 'One fifteen'.

What are the key phrases used to describe times in relation to the hour hand?

The key phrases are 'past' for times after the hour (e.g., 'five past one'), 'to' for times before the next hour (e.g., 'five to two'), and 'quarter' and 'half' for specific intervals (e.g., 'quarter past' or 'half past').

When is it common to use 'around' when telling time?

'Around' is used when referring to an approximate time, such as 'Around nine o'clock' to suggest a time close to but not exactly nine o'clock.

What is the difference between 'at' and 'in' when referring to time?

'At' is used to specify when an event happens, such as 'The meeting starts at 9 AM', while 'in' is used for longer periods, like 'in the morning' or 'in the evening'.