Numbers in time

Question

Hello,Could you tell me please if native speakers pronounce 5:45 as fourty-five of six or fifteen of six and 1:55 as fifty-five of two?Can 'o' be pronounced as 'zero', 'nought', or 'nil'  here: 3:05? Are there any other synomyms of the zero that can be used here?And when telling somebody time should I add pm or am?Thanks

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

5:45 = five forty-five; quarter to six; quarter of six

1:55 = one fifty-five; five to two; five of two; five before two.

3:05 = three oh five; five past three; five after three.
Are there any other synomyms of the zero that can be used here?-- No.

And when telling somebody time should I add pm or am?-- Only if it is not obvious to the listener, e.g., if the listener has been in a lightless dungeon for a long time.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Could you tell me please if native speakers pronounce 5:45 as fourty-five of six or fifteen of six and 1:55 as fifty-five of two? It depends where you live. In Canada, we never say this.
When telling someone the time, we usually use the British style,
eg 'a quarter to six', eg 'five to two'.
When making an appointment, we also often say,
eg 'five forty-five', eg 'one fifty-five'.

Can 'o' be pronounced as 'zero', 'nought', or 'nil' here: 3:05? Are there any other synomyms of the zero that can be used here? In Canada, I hear 'five past three', 'three oh five'.
Never zero or nought.

And when telling somebody time should I add pm or am? In almost every case, the context wil make that clear. People usually know if it is eg the middle of the night, eg the middle of the afternoon.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hello,

But what exactly is 'Oh'? So 'nill' isn't used either, am I right?

If it depends on where one lives perhaps in USA people use it in this way?

Thank you for such a quick and informative reply.

Anonymous · Answer

The dictionary says 3:05 is pronounced as three o five.

Are the 'o' and 'oh' one and the same thing?

Thanks

Mister Micawber · Answer

Are the 'o' and 'oh' one and the same thing? -- Yes.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you.

But why are they spelled in a different way?

Mister Micawber · Answer

The spelling is not set.

Anonymous · Answer

I see. Thank you.

Numbers in time

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