Telling the time in the UK primarily involves understanding the standard 12-hour clock format and common phrases used to describe minutes past or to the hour.
Understanding the Basics
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12-Hour Clock: The UK predominantly uses the 12-hour clock system (e.g., 3:00 PM instead of 15:00). AM (ante meridiem) denotes the time from midnight to noon, and PM (post meridiem) denotes the time from noon to midnight.
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"O'Clock": Used for times on the hour (e.g., 1 o'clock, 5 o'clock, 12 o'clock).
Key Phrases and Vocabulary
The core of telling time in British English involves mastering specific phrases related to minutes past and to the hour.
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"Past": Used for minutes 1 through 30 after the hour (e.g., 10 past 1, 25 past 6).
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"To": Used for minutes 31 through 59, indicating minutes before the next hour (e.g., 20 to 3, 5 to 8).
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"Half Past": Refers to 30 minutes past the hour (e.g., half past 4, half past 10).
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"Quarter Past": Refers to 15 minutes past the hour (e.g., quarter past 9).
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"Quarter To": Refers to 15 minutes before the hour (e.g., quarter to 2).
Examples
Here are a few examples of how to express the time:
- 3:10 - Ten past three
- 6:15 - Quarter past six
- 7:30 - Half past seven
- 9:45 - Quarter to ten
- 10:50 - Ten to eleven
- 1:00 - One o'clock
- 10:35 - Twenty-five to eleven (5 minutes to 11 in 30-minute zone)
Summary
Telling the time in the UK builds on understanding the 12-hour clock, utilizing "past" and "to" in relation to the hour, and common phrases such as "half past" and "quarter to/past."
