Telling the time and working hours
Use for a clock time: , . British is 5:30. is 9:15; is 8:45.
You can read a timetable directly: , . Ordinary speech often uses twelve-hour times plus context: .
Use or for a range: . differs from the fixed phrase .
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Give the start time. | ||
| Give the start time. | ||
| Explain the clock time. | ||
| Explain the clock time. | ||
| Explain quarter to nine. | ||
| Explain quarter to nine. | ||
| Introduce the beginning of a time range. | ||
| Introduce the beginning of a time range. | ||
| Name a part of the day. | ||
| Name a part of the day. | ||
| Use the fixed preposition with night. | ||
| Use the fixed preposition with night. | ||
Work starts at nine.Give the start time.
Half past five is five thirty.Explain the clock time.
A quarter to nine is eight forty-five.Explain quarter to nine.
We work from nine to half past five.Introduce the beginning of a time range.
I work in the morning.Name a part of the day.
Jack plays at night.Use the fixed preposition with night.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the patterns
Tap the form described in this unit.
.
Give the start time.
.
Explain the clock time.
.
Explain quarter to nine.
.
Introduce the beginning of a time range.
.
Name a part of the day.
.
Use the fixed preposition with night.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Choose the right word for the gap.
Work starts nine.
Give the start time.
Half past five is five .
Explain the clock time.
A quarter to nine is eight .
Explain quarter to nine.
We work nine to half past five.
Introduce the beginning of a time range.
I work the morning.
Name a part of the day.
Jack plays night.
Use the fixed preposition with night.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete a short message
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Work starts nine.
Give the start time.
Half past five is five .
Explain the clock time.
A quarter to nine is eight .
Explain quarter to nine.
We work nine to half past five.
Introduce the beginning of a time range.
I work the morning.
Name a part of the day.
Jack plays night.
Use the fixed preposition with night.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build useful sentences
Put the words in order.
Give the start time.
Explain the clock time.
Explain quarter to nine.
Introduce the beginning of a time range.
Name a part of the day.
Use the fixed preposition with night.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Give the start time.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Give the start time.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Explain the clock time.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Explain the clock time.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Explain quarter to nine.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Explain quarter to nine.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Introduce the beginning of a time range.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Introduce the beginning of a time range.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
