Telling the time
Dutch is 8:30: halfway to nine. is 9:15; is 8:45. Use for minutes after, for minutes before: is 8:55. tells the time; says when.
A time phrase may go first, but the finite verb stays second: . One time phrase counts as one position. means from 9:00 to 17:30.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| It is half past eight. | ||
| It is half past eight. | ||
| It is a quarter past nine. | ||
| It is a quarter past nine. | ||
| It is a quarter to nine. | ||
| It is a quarter to nine. | ||
| It is five to nine. | ||
| It is five to nine. | ||
| Work starts at nine. | ||
| Work starts at nine. | ||
| At nine, work starts. | ||
| At nine, work starts. | ||
| We work until half past five. | ||
| We work until half past five. | ||
| From nine until half past five is eight hours and thirty minutes. | ||
| From nine until half past five is eight hours and thirty minutes. | ||
Het is half negen.It is half past eight.
Het is kwart over negen.It is a quarter past nine.
Het is kwart voor negen.It is a quarter to nine.
Het is vijf voor negen.It is five to nine.
Het werk begint om negen uur.Work starts at nine.
Om negen uur begint het werk.At nine, work starts.
Wij werken tot half zes.We work until half past five.
Van negen tot half zes is acht uur en dertig minuten.From nine until half past five is eight hours and thirty minutes.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
It is half past eight.
.
It is a quarter past nine.
.
It is a quarter to nine.
.
It is five to nine.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Het is .
It is half past eight.
Het is .
It is a quarter past nine.
Het is .
It is a quarter to nine.
Het is .
It is five to nine.
Het werk begint negen uur.
Work starts at nine.
Om negen uur het werk.
At nine, work starts.
Wij werken half zes.
We work until half past five.
Van negen tot half zes is acht uur en minuten.
From nine until half past five is eight hours and thirty minutes.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Het is .
It is a quarter to nine.
Het is .
It is five to nine.
Het werk begint negen uur.
Work starts at nine.
Om negen uur het werk.
At nine, work starts.
Wij werken half zes.
We work until half past five.
Van negen tot half zes is acht uur en minuten.
From nine until half past five is eight hours and thirty minutes.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
It is half past eight.
It is a quarter past nine.
It is a quarter to nine.
It is five to nine.
Work starts at nine.
At nine, work starts.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
It is half past eight.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is half past eight.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is a quarter past nine.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is a quarter past nine.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is a quarter to nine.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is a quarter to nine.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is five to nine.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
It is five to nine.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
