Telling the time in English: fun facts

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Telling time in English is an essential skill for clear communication, whether you’re scheduling a meeting, making plans with friends, or simply answering “What time is it?” From understanding “o’clock” to mastering terms like “quarter past” or “half past,” this guide breaks down the most common expressions and fascinating time-related facts in English.

You’ll also discover the historical origins of terms we use every day, like AM, PM, and “time flies.” Ready to enhance your time-telling skills in English? Dive in and uncover the language’s unique approach to the concept of time!

Telling the time in English, most common forms

There are different ways to tell time in English. Here are the most common forms:

Using “o’clock”
When it’s exactly on the hour, we use the word “o’clock.” For example, if it’s 3:00, we say, “It’s three o’clock.” This phrase is only used for exact hours and not for times with minutes, like 3:15 or 3:30. It’s simple and easy to remember!
Saying the time with minutes
If it’s not on the hour, we include the minutes. For example, 3:15 is said as “three fifteen,” and 3:30 is “three thirty.” You can also say the minutes first, like “fifteen minutes past three” or “half past three” for 3:30.
- Past is used for times up to 30 minutes after the hour. For example, 2:20 is “twenty past two.”
- To is used for times before the next hour. For example, 2:50 is “ten to three” because it’s ten minutes before 3:00.
12-hour vs. 24-hour clock
English typically uses the 12-hour clock, which divides the day into two parts: AM (morning) and PM (afternoon and evening). So, 7:00 AM means seven in the morning, and 7:00 PM means seven in the evening.
Some countries, like those in Europe, also use the 24-hour clock, where 13:00 is the same as 1:00 PM, 14:00 is 2:00 PM, and so on. The 24-hour clock is common in train stations, airports, and other formal places.

What does o’clock mean?

The word “o’clock” comes from the old phrase “of the clock.” Hundreds of years ago, people would say “It is three of the clock” to mean that the time is 3:00. Over time, this phrase got shortened to “three o’clock,” which we still use today.

It’s a nice example of how the English language has changed over time, and now most people don’t think about the original meaning of the phrase. But the next time you hear “o’clock,” you can remember that it’s a little piece of history!

Fun and curious facts about time

Here are some fun and surprising facts about time that you might find interesting. Can you guess if they are true or false?

Fact: There are 24 hours in a day.
This is true, but did you know that each hour was not always 60 minutes long? In ancient times, some civilizations, like the Egyptians, had hours that changed in length depending on the season! The length of an hour was longer during the summer when there was more daylight, and shorter during the winter. Now, we always have 60 minutes in an hour, no matter what season it is.
Fact: Noon and midnight are exactly the same time all around the world.
False! Noon (12:00 PM) and midnight (12:00 AM) happen at different times around the world because of time zones. When it’s noon in London, it might be midnight in Australia. This is why time zones are important for people who travel or have meetings with people in different countries.
Fact: The phrase “time flies” comes from ancient Rome.
True! The famous Roman poet Virgil wrote “fugit inreparabile tempus,” which means “time flies irretrievably.” The idea that time goes by quickly when we’re busy or having fun is something people have thought about for thousands of years!
Fact: The shortest unit of time is one second.
False! Scientists have measured even smaller units of time. The shortest time ever recorded is called a zeptosecond, which is one trillionth of a billionth of a second. It’s almost impossible to imagine, but it’s used in scientific research!
Fact: AM and PM come from Latin.
True! AM stands for “Ante Meridiem” (before midday), and PM stands for “Post Meridiem” (after midday). These terms have been used for a very long time, and they help us tell if we are talking about morning or afternoon/evening time.

Telling the time in English and related expressions

Time related expressions

Here are a few useful expressions in English related to time:

“What time is it?” – A simple question you can ask when you want to know the current time.
“It’s half past…” – Use this to describe a time that is 30 minutes after the hour, like “half past two” for 2:30.
“It’s quarter to…” – This means 15 minutes before the next hour. For example, “quarter to six” means 5:45.
“On the dot” – If something happens exactly at a specific time, you can say it happens “on the dot.” For example, “The meeting starts at 9:00 on the dot.”
“Better late than never” – This phrase means it’s better to arrive late than not to arrive at all.

Mastering how to tell time in English is more than just learning numbers and phrases; it’s about understanding the culture and quirks of the language itself. Whether you’re confidently saying “half past two” or explaining why AM and PM have Latin roots, you’re building a bridge to clearer communication.

But here’s a question for you:

How would you explain the difference between “quarter to” and “quarter past” to someone learning English for the first time?

Or, better yet, can you think of any unique time expressions in your own language that English speakers might find interesting?

Explore these questions, and who knows – you might find even more surprising connections across languages!

No time to waste!

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