Telling the Time in English

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Telling the Time in English

TELLING THE TIME IN ENGLISH

There are some ways to tell the time in English. From a little complex styles to easier ones. It usually depends on the situation. In writing we generally use the complex patterns while in informal situations we can use the simplest. Let's get started!

12:00 / 24:00 06:00 / 18:00
It's twelve o'clock It's six o'clock

02:10 / 14:10 04:50 / 16:50
It's ten past two. / It's two ten. It's ten to five. / It's four fifty.

07:15 / 19:15 07:45 / 19:45
It's a quarter past seven. / It's a quarter to eight. /
It's seven fifteen. It's seven forty-five

09:30 / 21:30
It's half past nine. / It's half to ten. /
It's nine ten.

When you are asked by someone for the time you can use the phrase "It's...".
Examples:
It's one o'clock.
It's eleven past three. (complex) / It's three eleven. (simple)
It's a quarter to four.
It's half to four.
etc

In addition, to ask someone for the time you can say:
"What time is it?"
"What time is it now?"
"What's the time?"

A.M vs P.M

Ante Meridiem (a.m) => from 00:00 to 11:59 (before midday / midday to noon)
Post Meridiem (p.m) => from 12:00 to 23:59 (after midday / noon to midday)