Mastering the art of discussing time is crucial for effective communication in English. From scheduling appointments and planning events to recounting past experiences and projecting future goals, the ability to express time accurately and fluently is indispensable.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to talking about time, focusing on practical conversational skills for ESL learners. By understanding the nuances of time-related vocabulary, grammatical structures, and idiomatic expressions, you can enhance your overall English proficiency and communicate with confidence in various everyday situations.
This guide is perfect for ESL students of all levels looking to improve their conversational skills and gain a deeper understanding of how time is expressed in English, as well as teachers looking for resource material.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Talking About Time
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Time Expressions
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Talking About Time
Talking about time involves using specific vocabulary, grammatical structures, and expressions to communicate information about when events occur, how long they last, and their frequency. It encompasses various aspects, including telling the time of day, specifying dates, describing durations, and discussing past, present, and future events.
Effectively talking about time is essential for scheduling activities, making plans, and sharing experiences in a clear and understandable manner.
Understanding the concept of time in English goes beyond simply knowing the words for hours, days, and months. It also includes grasping the nuances of prepositions like at, on, and in, time adverbs such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and the correct use of verb tenses to indicate when an action took place. The ability to use these elements accurately and appropriately is crucial for conveying precise information and avoiding misunderstandings.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of talking about time in English involves several key elements: vocabulary, grammar, and context. Each element plays a vital role in conveying the intended meaning and ensuring clear communication.
Vocabulary: This includes words for hours, minutes, seconds, days, weeks, months, years, seasons, and specific time-related terms like decade, century, and millennium. It also encompasses words that describe the frequency of events, such as daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.
Grammar: The correct use of verb tenses is crucial for indicating when an action occurred. For example, the simple past tense is used to describe completed actions in the past, while the present continuous tense is used to describe actions happening now. Prepositions of time (at, on, in) are also essential for specifying when events take place. Time clauses, introduced by conjunctions like when, while, before, after, and until, provide additional context and detail about the timing of events.
Context: The context in which you are talking about time can influence the specific language you use. For example, when making an appointment, you might use formal language and precise times, while when recounting a past experience, you might use more informal language and approximate times. Understanding the context helps you choose the most appropriate words and phrases to convey your message effectively.
Types of Time Expressions
There are several types of time expressions in English, each with its own specific vocabulary and grammatical structure. Understanding these different types is essential for mastering the art of talking about time.
Telling Time
Telling time involves expressing the current time of day. This can be done using the 12-hour clock (e.g., 8:00 AM) or the 24-hour clock (e.g., 20:00). The 12-hour clock uses the abbreviations AM (ante meridiem, before noon) and PM (post meridiem, after noon) to distinguish between morning and afternoon/evening. Common phrases for telling time include “It’s [number] o’clock,” “It’s [number] minutes past [number],” and “It’s [number] minutes to [number].”
For example, 3:15 is often expressed as “a quarter past three,” while 3:30 is “half past three,” and 3:45 is “a quarter to four.” These idiomatic expressions are commonly used in everyday conversation.
Days of the Week
The days of the week are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. These are typically used with prepositions like on (e.g., “I have a meeting on Monday”) and can be used to specify when events occur.
For example, you might say, “We go to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays.” Using the plural form (e.g., “Tuesdays”) indicates that the action is repeated regularly.
Months of the Year
The months of the year are: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. These are used with prepositions like in (e.g., “My birthday is in July”) to specify when events occur.
For example, you might say, “The flowers bloom in April.” Months can also be used with specific dates, such as “December 25th,” to indicate a particular day within the month.
Seasons
The seasons are: spring, summer, autumn (or fall), and winter. These are used with the preposition in (e.g., “The leaves change color in autumn”) to describe when certain events or conditions occur.
For example, you might say, “We go skiing in winter.” Seasons are often used to describe general periods of time and the associated weather or activities.
Dates
Dates are expressed in different formats depending on the region. In the United States, the format is typically month/day/year (e.g., 07/04/2024 for July 4th, 2024), while in many other countries, the format is day/month/year (e.g., 04/07/2024 for July 4th, 2024).
When speaking, dates are often expressed using ordinal numbers (e.g., “the fourth of July,” “July fourth”).
For example, you might say, “My graduation is on June 15th.” It’s important to be aware of the different date formats to avoid confusion.
Years
Years are expressed as numbers (e.g., 2024). They are often preceded by the preposition in (e.g., “I was born in 1990”). Years can also be grouped into decades (e.g., “the 1990s”) or centuries (e.g., “the 21st century”).
For example, you might say, “The internet became popular in the 1990s.” Years are used to provide a specific point in time and are often used in historical contexts.
Time Adverbs
Time adverbs are words that indicate when an action occurs. Common time adverbs include yesterday, today, tomorrow, now, then, soon, later, recently, already, yet, and still.
For example, you might say, “I went to the store yesterday.” Time adverbs provide specific information about the timing of events and can be used to sequence actions.
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that indicate the relationship between a noun or pronoun and a specific point in time. The most common prepositions of time are at, on, and in. At is used for specific times (e.g., “at 5:00 PM”), on is used for specific days and dates (e.g., “on Monday,” “on July 4th”), and in is used for months, years, seasons, and general periods of time (e.g., “in July,” “in 2024,” “in summer”).
For example, you might say, “I have a meeting at 2:00 PM on Tuesday in July.” Understanding the correct use of prepositions of time is crucial for conveying precise information.
Time Clauses
Time clauses are dependent clauses that indicate when an action occurs. They are introduced by conjunctions like when, while, before, after, until, as soon as, and since.
For example, you might say, “I will call you when I get home.” Time clauses provide additional context and detail about the timing of events and can be used to express sequence, duration, and condition.
Examples
The following tables provide examples of how to talk about time in various contexts. These examples illustrate the use of different time expressions and grammatical structures.
Telling Time Examples
This table provides examples of how to tell time using both the 12-hour and 24-hour clocks, as well as common idiomatic expressions.
| Time | 12-Hour Clock | 24-Hour Clock | Idiomatic Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 | 3:00 AM | 03:00 | Three o’clock in the morning |
| 9:00 | 9:00 AM | 09:00 | Nine o’clock in the morning |
| 12:00 | 12:00 PM | 12:00 | Noon |
| 15:00 | 3:00 PM | 15:00 | Three o’clock in the afternoon |
| 18:00 | 6:00 PM | 18:00 | Six o’clock in the evening |
| 21:00 | 9:00 PM | 21:00 | Nine o’clock at night |
| 03:15 | 3:15 AM | 03:15 | A quarter past three in the morning |
| 09:30 | 9:30 AM | 09:30 | Half past nine in the morning |
| 12:45 | 12:45 PM | 12:45 | A quarter to one in the afternoon |
| 15:20 | 3:20 PM | 15:20 | Twenty past three in the afternoon |
| 18:55 | 6:55 PM | 18:55 | Five to seven in the evening |
| 21:10 | 9:10 PM | 21:10 | Ten past nine at night |
| 04:05 | 4:05 AM | 04:05 | Five past four in the morning |
| 10:35 | 10:35 AM | 10:35 | Twenty-five to eleven in the morning |
| 13:25 | 1:25 PM | 13:25 | Twenty-five past one in the afternoon |
| 16:40 | 4:40 PM | 16:40 | Twenty to five in the afternoon |
| 19:15 | 7:15 PM | 19:15 | A quarter past seven in the evening |
| 22:50 | 10:50 PM | 22:50 | Ten to eleven at night |
| 05:00 | 5:00 AM | 05:00 | Five o’clock in the morning |
| 17:00 | 5:00 PM | 17:00 | Five o’clock in the afternoon |
| 06:00 | 6:00 AM | 06:00 | Six o’clock in the morning |
| 18:30 | 6:30 PM | 18:30 | Half past six in the evening |
| 07:45 | 7:45 AM | 07:45 | A quarter to eight in the morning |
| 19:05 | 7:05 PM | 19:05 | Five past seven in the evening |
| 08:10 | 8:10 AM | 08:10 | Ten past eight in the morning |
| 20:55 | 8:55 PM | 20:55 | Five to nine in the evening |
Days, Months, and Seasons Examples
This table illustrates how to use days of the week, months of the year, and seasons in sentences.
| Category | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Days of the Week | I have a doctor’s appointment on Friday. |
| Days of the Week | On Mondays, I usually go to the library. |
| Days of the Week | The store is closed on Sundays. |
| Months of the Year | My birthday is in June. |
| Months of the Year | The conference will be held in November. |
| Months of the Year | The weather is usually warm in August. |
| Seasons | The flowers bloom in spring. |
| Seasons | We go swimming in summer. |
| Seasons | The leaves change color in autumn. |
| Days of the Week | We always have pizza on Saturday night. |
| Months of the Year | The project is due in March. |
| Seasons | It snows a lot in winter. |
| Days of the Week | She plays tennis on Wednesday afternoons. |
| Months of the Year | They are getting married in December. |
| Seasons | The birds migrate in autumn. |
| Days of the Week | He works from home on Thursday. |
| Months of the Year | School starts in September. |
| Seasons | The days are longer in summer. |
| Days of the Week | The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 AM. |
| Months of the Year | The new product will launch in January. |
| Seasons | Many animals hibernate in winter. |
Dates and Years Examples
This table provides examples of how to express dates and years in sentences.
| Category | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Dates | My appointment is on July 15th. |
| Dates | We celebrate Independence Day on the fourth of July. |
| Dates | The concert is scheduled for August 22nd. |
| Years | I was born in 1995. |
| Years | The company was founded in 2005. |
| Years | The project will be completed in 2025. |
| Dates | She graduated on May 20th. |
| Dates | The event will take place on October 31st. |
| Dates | The deadline is September 1st. |
| Years | They moved to the city in 2010. |
| Years | The book was published in 2018. |
| Years | The invention was patented in 1980. |
| Dates | The package arrived on June 8th. |
| Dates | The conference starts on November 12th. |
| Dates | The contract expires on December 31st. |
| Years | The building was constructed in 1965. |
| Years | The law was enacted in 2000. |
| Years | The discovery was made in 1950. |
| Dates | The application is due on April 10th. |
| Dates | The festival is held on July 4th every year. |
Time Adverbs and Prepositions Examples
This table shows how to use time adverbs and prepositions of time in sentences.
| Category | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Time Adverbs | I saw him yesterday. |
| Time Adverbs | I am going to the store tomorrow. |
| Time Adverbs | I am busy now. |
| Prepositions of Time | The meeting is at 3:00 PM. |
| Prepositions of Time | The concert is on Saturday. |
| Prepositions of Time | My birthday is in June. |
| Time Adverbs | I will call you later. |
| Time Adverbs | I have already finished my homework. |
| Time Adverbs | I haven’t eaten yet. |
| Prepositions of Time | The class starts at 9:00 AM. |
| Prepositions of Time | The party is on New Year’s Eve. |
| Prepositions of Time | The event is in the summer. |
| Time Adverbs | He recently moved to a new city. |
| Time Adverbs | She is still working on the project. |
| Time Adverbs | I will see you soon. |
| Prepositions of Time | The show begins at 7:30 PM. |
| Prepositions of Time | The presentation is on Tuesday morning. |
| Prepositions of Time | The festival is in October. |
Time Clauses Examples
This table provides examples of sentences using time clauses.
| Conjunction | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| When | I will call you when I get home. |
| While | I was studying while she was cooking. |
| Before | I always brush my teeth before I go to bed. |
| After | I will go to the gym after I finish work. |
| Until | I will wait until you arrive. |
| As soon as | I will call you as soon as I can. |
| Since | I haven’t seen him since last year. |
| When | When it rains, we stay inside. |
| While | While I was walking, I saw a friend. |
| Before | Before you leave, please turn off the lights. |
| After | After the movie, we went for dinner. |
| Until | Until the sun sets, we will continue playing. |
| As soon as | As soon as the bell rings, the class ends. |
| Since | Since he moved, we haven’t seen him often. |
Usage Rules
There are several usage rules to keep in mind when talking about time in English. These rules govern the correct use of prepositions, verb tenses, and time adverbs.
Prepositions of Time: Use at for specific times (e.g., at 3:00 PM), on for specific days and dates (e.g., on Monday, on July 4th), and in for months, years, seasons, and general periods of time (e.g., in July, in 2024, in summer). There are some exceptions, such as using at night instead of in night.
Verb Tenses: Use the correct verb tense to indicate when an action occurred. The simple past tense is used for completed actions in the past, the present continuous tense is used for actions happening now, and the future simple tense is used for actions that will happen in the future.
Time Adverbs: Place time adverbs in the correct position in the sentence. Adverbs of frequency (e.g., always, usually, often, sometimes, never) typically go before the main verb but after the auxiliary verb (e.g., “I always go to the gym,” “I have never been to Europe”). Other time adverbs (e.g., yesterday, today, tomorrow) can go at the beginning or end of the sentence.
Common Mistakes
ESL learners often make certain common mistakes when talking about time. These mistakes can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Incorrect Use of Prepositions: A common mistake is using the wrong preposition of time. For example, saying “I will see you in Monday” instead of “I will see you on Monday.”
Incorrect Verb Tenses: Another common mistake is using the wrong verb tense. For example, saying “I go to the store yesterday” instead of “I went to the store yesterday.”
Incorrect Word Order: Incorrect word order can also lead to confusion. For example, saying “I yesterday went to the store” instead of “I went to the store yesterday.”
Here are some examples of correct and incorrect sentences:
| Category | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Prepositions | I will see you in Monday. | I will see you on Monday. |
| Verb Tenses | I go to the store yesterday. | I went to the store yesterday. |
| Word Order | I yesterday went to the store. | I went to the store yesterday. |
| Prepositions | The meeting is on 3 PM. | The meeting is at 3 PM. |
| Verb Tenses | She will goes to the party tomorrow. | She will go to the party tomorrow. |
Practice Exercises
The following exercises will help you practice talking about time in English. These exercises cover various aspects of time-related vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Exercise 1: Telling Time
Write the time in words using the 12-hour clock format.
| Number | Time | Your Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6:00 AM | |
| 2 | 11:30 AM | |
| 3 | 2:15 PM | |
| 4 | 5:45 PM | |
| 5 | 9:00 PM | |
| 6 | 1:05 AM | |
| 7 | 4:20 PM | |
| 8 | 7:35 PM | |
| 9 | 10:50 PM | |
| 10 | 12:00 AM |
Answers:
| Number | Time | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6:00 AM | Six o’clock in the morning |
| 2 | 11:30 AM | Half past eleven in the morning |
| 3 | 2:15 PM | A quarter past two in the afternoon |
| 4 | 5:45 PM | A quarter to six in the evening |
| 5 | 9:00 PM | Nine o’clock at night |
| 6 | 1:05 AM | Five past one in the morning |
| 7 | 4:20 PM | Twenty past four in the afternoon |
| 8 | 7:35 PM | Twenty-five to eight in the evening |
| 9 | 10:50 PM | Ten to eleven at night |
| 10 | 12:00 AM | Midnight |
Exercise 2: Prepositions of Time
Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of time (at, on, in).
| Number | Sentence | Your Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I will see you ____ Monday. | |
| 2 | The meeting is ____ 3:00 PM. | |
| 3 | My birthday is ____ July. | |
| 4 | We go swimming ____ summer. | |
| 5 | The concert is ____ Saturday night. | |
| 6 | The class starts ____ 9:00 AM. | |
| 7 | The event is ____ the evening. | |
| 8 | She was born ____ 1990. | |
| 9 | They got married ____ June 15th. | |
| 10 | I usually go to bed ____ 10:00 PM. |
Answers:
| Number | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I will see you on Monday. | on |
| 2 | The meeting is at 3:00 PM. | at |
| 3 | My birthday is in July. | in |
| 4 | We go swimming in summer. | in |
| 5 | The concert is on Saturday night. | on |
| 6 | The class starts at 9:00 AM. | at |
| 7 | The event is in the evening. | in |
| 8 | She was born in 1990. | in |
| 9 | They got married on June 15th. | on |
| 10 | I usually go to bed at 10:00 PM. | at |
Exercise 3: Time Clauses
Complete the sentences using the correct time clause conjunction (when, while, before, after, until).
| Number | Sentence | Your Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I will call you ____ I get home. | |
| 2 | I was studying ____ she was cooking. | |
| 3 | I always brush my teeth ____ I go to bed. | |
| 4 | I will go to the gym ____ I finish work. | |
| 5 | I will wait ____ you arrive. | |
| 6 | She will start cooking ____ the guests arrive. | |
| 7 | They lived in London ____ 2010. | |
| 8 | He started working ____ he graduated. | |
| 9 | We will stay here ____ the rain stops. | |
| 10 | She learned to speak English ____ she lived in the US. |
Answers:
| Number | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I will call you when I get home. | when |
| 2 | I was studying while she was cooking. | while |
| 3 | I always brush my teeth before I go to bed
. |
before |
| 4 | I will go to the gym after I finish work. | after |
| 5 | I will wait until you arrive. | until |
| 6 | She will start cooking when the guests arrive. | when |
| 7 | They lived in London until 2010. | until |
| 8 | He started working after he graduated. | after |
| 9 | We will stay here until the rain stops. | until |
| 10 | She learned to speak English while she lived in the US. | while |
Advanced Topics
For advanced ESL learners, there are several more complex aspects of talking about time to explore. These include idiomatic expressions, cultural differences in time perception, and advanced grammatical structures.
Idiomatic Expressions: English is full of idiomatic expressions related to time, such as “killing time,” “time flies,” “a stitch in time saves nine,” and “better late than never.” Understanding these expressions can add nuance and depth to your communication.
Cultural Differences: Different cultures have different perceptions of time. Some cultures are more punctual than others, and some prioritize long-term planning over short-term goals. Being aware of these cultural differences can help you avoid misunderstandings and communicate more effectively with people from different backgrounds.
Advanced Grammatical Structures: Advanced learners can also explore more complex grammatical structures for talking about time, such as the past perfect tense (e.g., “I had already finished my homework before you arrived”) and conditional sentences (e.g., “If I had more time, I would travel the world”).
FAQ
How do I ask for the time politely?
You can ask for the time politely by saying “Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?” or “Do you have the time, please?”
What is the difference between “AM” and “PM”?
“AM” stands for ante meridiem, which means “before noon.” “PM” stands for post meridiem, which means “after noon.”
How do I specify a date in English?
In the United States, the format is typically month/day/year (e.g., 07/04/2024). In many other countries, the format is day/month/year (e.g., 04/07/2024).
When speaking, dates are often expressed using ordinal numbers (e.g., “the fourth of July,” “July fourth”).
What are some common time adverbs?
Common time adverbs include yesterday, today, tomorrow, now, then, soon, later, recently, already, yet, and still.
How do I use prepositions of time correctly?
Use at for specific times (e.g., “at 5:00 PM”), on for specific days and dates (e.g., “on Monday,” “on July 4th”), and in for months, years, seasons, and general periods of time (e.g., “in July,” “in 2024,” “in summer”).
Conclusion
Mastering the art of talking about time in English is essential for effective communication in a variety of contexts. By understanding the different types of time expressions, usage rules, and common mistakes, ESL learners can improve their overall English proficiency and communicate with confidence.
Practice the exercises provided in this guide and continue to explore more advanced topics to further enhance your skills. With dedication and practice, you can become proficient in talking about time and express yourself clearly and accurately in English.