Telling Time Practice in English: Video Summary

 If you’ve ever felt nervous or unsure when someone asks you “What time is it?” in English, don’t worry - you’re not alone. In this video lesson, you’ll learn how to read and say the time clearly and correctly in one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Before we begin, remember to subscribe, like, turn on notifications, and share the video. Your support helps us continue creating free English learning content for learners worldwide, including those studying English through Berlitz UAE. Now, let’s get started!

Numbers

 To tell the time in English, it’s essential to know how to pronounce English numbers correctly. If numbers still feel challenging, try practicing by counting from 1 to 100 out loud or even singing along with a song. You can also refer to our blog article covering English numbers up to one thousand, which is especially helpful for beginners and intermediate learners. It’s also important to know that most English - speaking countries use the 12 - hour clock system rather than the 24 - hour format. This means we divide the day into: a.m. (from midnight to noon) p.m. (from noon to midnight) Understanding this difference is particularly useful in the UAE, where both time formats are commonly seen, but spoken English usually follows the 12 - hour system.

Time Vocabulary: Basic Expressions

 Let’s start with three essential expressions used to ask and tell the time in English. Question:

What time is it?

 This is the most common and direct way to ask for the time.

Repeat after me: What time is it?

 Polite Question:

Could you tell me the time, please?

 If you want to sound more polite - especially in formal or professional settings - this is a great option. Answer: “It’s [time]” To answer, simply say the time: “It’s 2:00” “It’s 11:30” “It’s 8:25” Now try this example: Question:

What time is it?

 Answer: It’s 9:15 / It’s a quarter past 9 Great job!

Using “Past” and “To”

 Most of the time, English speakers say the hour first, followed by the minutes. However, you can also reverse the order using “past” or “to.”

For example:

 “It’s 5 past 7” = 7:05 “It’s 10 to 9” = 8:50 The word “past” is used for the first 30 minutes of the hour. After that, we use “to” and refer to the next hour. When the minutes are less than 10, we often say “O” for zero: 7:05 → “seven O five”

Quarter Past, Quarter To, and Half Past

 A quarter means 15 minutes “A quarter past 6” = 6:15 “A quarter to 6” = 5:45 Half past means 30 minutes “Half past 4” = 4:30 When there are no minutes, we simply say the hour followed by “o’clock.” 1:00 → “one o’clock”

Midday and Midnight

 Midday = 12:00 p.m. (noon) Midnight = 12:00 a.m. These terms are commonly used in spoken English and are helpful for everyday conversations.

Practice Telling the Time

 Now it’s time to practice! In the video, you’ll see different clocks and have a few seconds to say the time. Examples: 9:15 → It’s 9:15 / It’s a quarter past 9 12:00 p.m. → It’s midday 3:45 p.m. → It’s a quarter to 4 2:00 p.m. → It’s 2:00 Great job! If you answered correctly, congratulations. These expressions can feel confusing at first, but with regular practice, they quickly become natural. Try practicing every time you check the time on your phone - the more you practice, the easier it becomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use “past” or “to” with any hour?

 Yes, but “past” is used for the first 30 minutes, and “to” is used after that.

How do I say the time when there are no minutes?

 Use the hour followed by “o’clock.”

What do “midday” and “midnight” mean?

 Midday is 12:00 p.m. (noon), and midnight is 12:00 a.m.

How can I improve my ability to tell the time in English?

 Practice regularly, watch the video multiple times, and use the expressions in daily conversation.

Learn English in the UAE with Berlitz

 If you want to build confidence in everyday English skills like telling the time, Berlitz UAE offers practical, real - world English language programs designed for learners of all levels. Berlitz UAE provides: General English courses Business English for professionals English classes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Online English courses with live instructors Private and group lessons Corporate English training Using the Berlitz Method®, learners start speaking English from day one - making it ideal for life, work, and study in the UAE. That’s all for today’s lesson. We hope this time - telling practice helped improve your English vocabulary and pronunciation. For structured practice, Berlitz UAE can help - whether you learn at the Berlitz Berlitz Jumeirah Centre or the Berlitz JLT Centre in Dubai. For more free English learning videos and lessons, explore the Berlitz English video blog and continue building your skills with confidence.