Guide: How to Say Times in English

When it comes to expressing time in English, there are several ways to do so, depending on the level of formality and the region.

Formal Ways to Say Times

Formal English is usually used in professional settings, official documents, or when speaking to someone in a position of authority. Here are some formal ways to express time:

1. Using “o’clock”: This is a common formal way to express full hours. For example, 9 o’clock, 2 o’clock, etc.
2. Using “a.m.” and “p.m.”: When providing more precise time, you can use “a.m.” for morning hours (e.g., 6:30 a.m.) or “p.m.” for afternoon or evening hours (e.g., 8:45 p.m.).
3. Using “in the morning/afternoon/evening”: This is a refined way to indicate general times of the day without specifying an exact hour. For example, “in the morning” or “in the evening.”
4. Using the 24-hour clock: In formal situations, especially in the military or when dealing with international time zones, the 24-hour clock is preferred. For instance, 14:30 for 2:30 p.m.

Informal Ways to Say Times

Informal English is used in everyday conversations and casual settings. Here are some informal ways to express time:

1. Dropping the “o’clock”: In casual conversations, the “o’clock” part can be omitted. For example, “It’s nine” instead of “It’s nine o’clock.”
2. Using “morning,” “afternoon,” or “evening”: Informally, you can refer to approximate times of the day using these terms. For example, “It’s six in the morning.”
3. Using “am” or “pm”: Informally, you can skip ahead to saying “am” or “pm” without stating the exact hour. For example, “It’s six am” or “It’s seven pm.”

Regional Variations

English is spoken in various countries, and there can be slight differences in how time is expressed. Here are a few regional variations:

American English: Americans mostly use “a.m.” and “p.m.” to specify time. They use the 12-hour clock, for example, 2:30 p.m. or 8:15 a.m.

British English: The British also use “a.m.” and “p.m.” in formal settings. However, they prefer the 24-hour clock in spoken language, for example, 14:30 instead of 2:30 p.m.

Australian English: Australians typically use the 12-hour clock with “a.m.” and “p.m.” in formal contexts but often switch to informal ways while conversing.

Tips and Examples

Here are some tips and examples to help you master the art of expressing time in English:

• Be specific: When stating the time, try to be as precise as possible, especially in formal situations. This will avoid any confusion.
• Pronounce “a.m.” and “p.m.” correctly: “a.m.” is pronounced as “ay-em,” and “p.m.” is pronounced as “pee-em.”
• Use “sharp” for exact hours: When referring to precise o’clock hours, you can add “sharp” to emphasize that it is exactly that time. For example, “It’s 10 o’clock sharp.”
• Practice pronouncing hours and minutes: Take time to practice saying different hours and minutes to improve your pronunciation and fluency.

Examples:

Formal: The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. sharp.

Informal: Let’s meet at six in the evening.

American: It’s 9:30 a.m., I should start working.

British: It’s seventeen twenty-five; the train will depart soon.

Australian: I’ll see you at half-past four for afternoon tea.

Now armed with the knowledge of formal and informal time expressions in English, you can confidently navigate conversations and punctuality in various situations. Remember to practice frequently to reinforce what you’ve learned. Happy time-telling!