The time in English

To tell time in English, you need to learn the cardinal numbers in English.

To ask in English, What time is it? You can use the following expressions.

• What time is it?
• What`s the time?
• Could you tell me the time?

Structure to answer these questions is:

it is (It's) (+ the mins ) past / to (+ the hour).

PAST: We will use past for minutes of the first half hour, the minute 1 to 29.  

TO: For the minutes of the second half hour, from 31 to 59 use to.

There is a special way to say the hour, quarter-hour and half hour.

1. Five o'clock  / faiv oclok / Las cinco en punto.
2. Quarter past two / quorte pas to / Las dos y cuarto.
3. Half past two / jalf pas to / Las dos y media.
4. Quarter to six / quorte to sixs /Las seis menos cuarto.