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Ask for help > telling the time - another question
telling the time - another question
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MartaZ
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telling the time - another question
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Hi, Maja �s question concerning telling the time reminded me of my doubt.
I �m sure you can help :)
13.55 It �s five to two - that �s obvious.
I �m not sure, though, about
13.58 It �s two to two or It �s two minutes to two?
16.03 It �s three past four or It �s three minutes past four?
Is the word minutes necessary here? I �d say it isn �t but I �ve recently read somewhere that it should be added...
Thanks in advance :)
Marta
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7 Apr 2009
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Zora
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It may not be "necessary" (I think) BUT I �d put it in if it was less than 4 minutes to.. just because it sounds better that way...
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7 Apr 2009
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Lou2002
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Hi Marta, you �ve got me thinking there. Being English I know what I say but I don �t always know WHY I say it! In this case I would say two minutes to two, or three minutes past four - only problem is I �m not sure why!! And as you say, 13.55 would be 5 to 2. 13.50 would be 10 to 2. Looking forward to hearing someone �s why for this one! Basically if it�s 5,10,15,20 or 25 I don�t say the word minutes. However if I say any other number eg 24, 17, 8 I say the minutes. It�s 22 minutes past 6, it�s 8 minutes to 11.
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8 Apr 2009
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eng789
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I agree with Zora, it sound better to add the "minutes" with the smaller numbers.
It �s 3 minutes to two or 3 minutes after two. |
8 Apr 2009
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douglas
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I say "two to two" because it is fun to say and puts a smile on my face--my students usually laugh about it too (Tutu too?). I believe both are correct--it �s just a matter of style/taste.
Edit: for some reason my post was put ahead of the others, it should be 4 or 5 ???
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8 Apr 2009
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Olindalima ( F )
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Well, here I go ( forgive me, but I am the MOST, LESS native speaker - hehehe )
As probably most of you know I am not NATIVE, so, everything I write can be but rubbish... ( hope not)
It �s two to two
This is something I remember from my school days, ... well, ... just because it was funny ( ??? may be, I don �t know )
It �s two to two
this is something I teach my students... it �s a funny sentence, for God sake, why can �t we say these kind of sentences and... teach them...
As far as I understand, they are correct, (grammatically speaking ) , so, even if we find it necessary, under some circumstances, to add - " minutes ", it doesn �t mean that " 2 2 2 " is a mistake. It is just a funny, different, informal way of speaking.... ( is it ????, tell me if not )
Please, let me know, I have had this " 2 2 2 " for so many years, in my classes, I am turning a little pale, green, yellow, well, all the rainbow, just wandering if I have been teaching something, less correct, not to say a " COMPLETE MISTAKE "
� waiting for your replies, I learn a lot here, with you, don �t let me down.
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8 Apr 2009
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Zora
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I think it depends on the time... 2 to 2 sounds okay yet I �d never say 1 to 2, I �d say 1 minute to two... dunno... other natives out there tonight, watcha all think? 
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8 Apr 2009
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ameliarator
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I would say "it �s one fifty eight" and "it �s four o three"! �Perhaps this is an American/British difference. |
8 Apr 2009
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Olindalima ( F )
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My God
MY POOR LITTLE CHILDREN,
MY POOR LITTLE STUDENTS.... ( I am crying )
I am a little strict when it comes to telling the time, but now I see, what matters is communication, because so many people, from so many different places say so many different things that... all my students � answers are, most probably, right.
Thanks.
I never, ever, had any doubts that they were really super guys.
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8 Apr 2009
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Jayho
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Interesting point �
I would say that down under most would do the following:
1. Round up/down to the nearest five minute slot e.g.
for 11.52 - it�s just gone ten to twelve
for 11.53 � it�s almost five to twelve
2. If it�s just before the hour/half hour don�t say the exact time e.g.
for 10.32 � it�s just gone 10.30
for 10.28 - It�s almost 10.30 |
8 Apr 2009
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Zora
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@Olindalima,
I wouldn �t worry too much since it �s better that they learn it properly now because later on in life, they will use whatever way they want or feel comfortable with.
Besides what we say is NOT what we write and if they write the hours wrong or in another way, other teachers that they may have along the way, may mark them wrong...
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8 Apr 2009
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