Knowing how to tell time in English is more than just reading a clock. It involves expression, pronunciation, correct prepositions, different formats (digital and analog), and cultural context. This guide teaches you everything you need to confidently talk about time in English.
Why Telling Time Matters
Time is everywhere. Scheduling meetings, travel plans, everyday conversation, appointments, and stories—all involve time. If you can say it clearly, you’ll avoid misunderstandings, sound natural, and use English more effortlessly.
Names for Hours, Minutes & Key Words
- Hour = “o’clock” when exact hour: three o’clock
- Minute = “minute” or “mins”: five minutes past two
- Half = half past
- Quarter = quarter past / quarter to
- Midday / noon = 12:00 PM
- Midnight = 12:00 AM
- AM / PM = morning / afternoon-evening
How to Tell Time Using “O’Clock”, “Quarter”, “Half”
| Time | How You say it |
| 2:00 | two o’clock |
| 2:05 | five past two |
| 2:10 | ten past two |
| 2:15 | quarter past two |
| 2:30 | half past two |
| 2:40 | twenty to three |
| 2:45 | quarter to three |
| 2:50 | ten to three |
| 3:00 | three o’clock |
Minutes Past and To
You can say many different times using “past” (after hour) or “to” (before next hour).
Example: “It’s twenty-five to six.”
Digital Time & Full Expressions
In digital format, you’ll often hear:
- “two fifty” for 2:50
- “three oh five” for 3:05
- “six twenty-nine” for 6:29
You can also say: “It’s six twenty-nine.”
When you want to be exact: “It’s six twenty-nine AM.”
AM and PM
- AM = ante meridiem = before noon
- PM = post meridiem = after noon
Example: “The meeting is at 10 AM.”
In spoken conversation, many native speakers just say “ten in the morning”, “seven at night”.
Using Prepositions with Time
- Use at for exact time: “at three o’clock”, “at 4:30”
- Use on for days: “on Monday”
- Use in for months/years: “in July”
Examples: “The train arrives at five past eight.”
Expressions for Everyday Time Talk
- What time is it? → “It’s eleven fifteen.”
- See you soon / in a minute → “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
- Schedule talk: “The conference starts at nine thirty.”
- Late arrival: “I’m running ten minutes late.”
- Early: “I arrived well before noon.”
Time-Related Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| schedule | plan of events | “Check the schedule for tomorrow.” |
| timetable | list of times (UK) | “The train timetable is posted.” |
| deadline | latest time to finish | “The deadline is 5 PM.” |
| appointment | scheduled meeting | “I have an appointment at two.” |
| shift | period of work | “I’m on the night shift.” |
| countdown | reverse-time until event | “The countdown ends at midnight.” |
Cultural Notes & Variations
- In UK vs US English, both use “quarter past”, “quarter to”, “half past” — standard.
- Native speakers often omit “o’clock” in casual speech: “I’ll see you five.” Means 5:00.
- In business contexts, 24-hour clock is common: 14 : 30 = two thirty PM.
- In informal speech: “around half past six” = ~6:30.
- Phrases like “sharp”: “The meeting starts at nine sharp.” Means exactly 9:00.
- “On the dot” = exactly: “He arrived at three o’clock on the dot.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Saying “It’s five hours” (wrong). Correct: “It’s five o’clock.”
- Mixing AM/PM incorrectly: “10 PM in the morning” (wrong).
- Saying “It’s 12:60” (wrong) instead of “It’s one o’clock”.
- Using “in” with an exact time: “in ten o’clock” is wrong. Use “at ten o’clock”.
- Omitting “past” or “to” incorrectly: “ten three” (wrong). Correct: “ten past three”.
Exercises for Practice
Exercise A: Write the time in full
- 7:00 → __________________
- 1:15 → __________________
- 4:45 → __________________
- 11:30 → __________________
- 9:50 → __________________
Exercise B: Ask questions
- When does the train arrive?
- What time do you start work?
- How long is the meeting?
Answer using proper phrases.
Exercise C: Listen & Repeat
Set a timer on your phone for random times. Stop it and say aloud: “It’s ___ ___ ___”.
Repeat five times per day.
Yak’s Final Chewables
Learning how to tell time in English is one of the most practical steps for fluency. From meeting friends, handling schedules, travelling and speaking naturally — time phrases matter. Use the clocks, say them aloud, practise “quarter past”, “half past”, “ten to”, and soon your English will keep perfect time. Even a yak knows: “It’s half past two — time for dinner.”