Telling the time (EAL)

Part of Learn & revise

Let's learn how to say some key times on a clock.

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Key words

Hours: numbers 1 - 12

A clock with numbers 1-12 on it

o'clock

To say a time is on the hour we use :

1 o'clock analogue

1 o'clock digital
Two o'clock, analogue

Two o'clock, digital
3 o'clock analogue

3 o'clock

What time is it?

A clock reads 10pm

A clock reads 6 o'clock

A clock reads 12 o'clock

quarter past, half past and quarter to

Here are some more key times.

There are two ways to say each time.

Quarter past one, analogue

or

Quarter past one, digital
Half past one, analogue

or

Half past one, digital
Quarter to two, analogue

or

Quarter to two, digital

Grammar explained

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Activities

Matching activity

Can you match the clock to the times below?

Listening activity

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Make a sentence

Watch shows quarter past twelve
It's quarter past twelve.
  • To give the time now, you can say:

Example:

Watch shows quarter past twelve
It's quarter past twelve.
A clock with question marks next to it
  • To ask what time it is, you can say:

A clock with question marks next to it

Example:

  • or

Question marks and a clock that reads 9:30
What time is it? - It's half past nine / It's nine thirty.
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Challenge

Look for times!

Have a look around your house and find devices that tell the time.

Write down and say each time in English and your home language. If you can’t write it, can you say it?

Jess finds time devices at home and practises saying the time
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