Telling Time (Part 2): Learn Key Time Expressions in English

Improve your English by mastering time expressions. Learn how to tell time accurately with common phrases and vocabulary.

This video will guide you through the common phrases used to tell time in English, helping you communicate clearly and effectively.

• Five Past, Ten Past, Quarter Past
  • Explanation: Use these phrases to indicate minutes after the hour.
  • Example: "It's five past three" means it’s 3:05. "Quarter past" refers to 15 minutes past the hour.
  • Tip: Remember, "past" is used for the first 30 minutes after the hour.
• Twenty Past, Twenty-Five Past, Half Past
  • Explanation: These phrases continue the count past the hour, with "half past" indicating 30 minutes past.
  • Example: "It’s half past six" means it’s 6:30.
  • Tip: Use "half past" for a straightforward way to state the 30-minute mark.
• Twenty-Five To, Twenty To, Quarter To
  • Explanation: These expressions indicate the minutes remaining before the next hour.
  • Example: "It's quarter to eight" means it’s 7:45. "Twenty to" means 20 minutes until the next hour.
  • Tip: "To" is used for the time after the half-hour mark, moving toward the next hour.
• Ten To, Five To, O'clock
  • Explanation: These are used to indicate the final minutes before the hour or to state the exact hour.
  • Example: "It's ten to four" means it’s 3:50. "O'clock" is used for exact hours like "three o'clock."
  • Tip: "O'clock" is a simple way to state an exact time on the hour without minutes.

Watch our video to learn these expressions and improve your English time-telling skills.