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Kooyeen Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

I can't tell time!

Hi,
I can't tell time! Seriously, I am not sure of some things, and how Americans say them.

I know I can read 4:23 as four twenty-three, or 6:30 as six thirty, but I always hear, say, 2:03 as two-oh-three. Do I always have to say that oh when there is only one "significant figure" in the minutes?

I know I can read 4:50 as "ten of/to five", and 5:10 as "ten after five", but does that also apply to "non-round numbers"? For example, 4:51 is "nine to five", 3:43 is "seventeen of four" ", 5:23 is "twenty-three after five", etc.

I think I can leave out something sometimes, for example "It's quarter of/to", when it's clear what would follow. Is that true in general, so that I can also say "It's eleven of", or "It's thirteen after"?

Thanks Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

So many questions! 2:03 - Yes, you must say two-oh-three. Stick with the round numbers.

  • So many questions!
  • 2:03 - Yes, you must say two-oh-three.
  • Stick with the round numbers.
  • 4:51: It's about ten till (another one in addition to ten to and ten of ) 5:23: It's just a little more than 20 after, or not quite half past.
  • Unless you are doing a radio show and need to give the time in such precise increments, just stick with the round numbers.
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3 Answers
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So many questions!

2:03 - Yes, you must say two-oh-three.

Stick with the round numbers.

4:51: It's about ten till (another one in addition to ten to and ten of)

5:23: It's just a little more than 20 after, or not quite half past.

Unless you are doing a radio show and need to give the time in such precise increments, just stick with
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Oh, that's very useful! Thanks a lot. Emotion: smile
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You can always say it is three minutes past two instead of two o three here in florida we just say well I dunno five minutes past eleven oh as well you could instead of saying quarter to five you could say its forty five minutes past five I hope this helped you!

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