In this lesson we will learn the terms which are used in English to describe the different concepts of time.

What's the time at your watch, Celine?

It's 7: 57 P.M.

Uff...It's only three minutes to 8 P.M.!

I told you, Bethany is always late.

Yeah. And to think she was supposed to arrive at 20 minutes past 7...

You mean 7:20?

Yeah. I thought she'd be here by 8 at least. When will the gates open?

At exactly 5 minutes after 8.

I think Bethany already knows that. She'll be here before 8:05 for sure.

After I began using this digital watch I became more precise with time.

I'm often confused between ‘quarter to' and ‘quarter of'.

I can help you! ‘Quarter to' eight simply means 15 minutes to eight

or quarter to eight means it's 15 minutes before eight. Quarter of eight means 7: 45.

Alright! I understand. What's the time now?

It's quarter past five, 5:15.

Gosh! An hour passed by so fast! I arrived at a quarter after four right?

Yup, at 4:15.

I was late today by almost 30 minutes! I reached there at half past nine.

Not a big deal! Half an hour is not much.

I'm never late. It counts!

Suzie is often late by an hour! She arrives at the office around 10 A.M.

Let her be so, Celine. I don't have to be late because Suzie is late.

I had a scary dream last night. I woke up at 1AM.

You mean 1 in the morning?!

1 AM is always morning, dude. 1 PM is in the afternoon.

What about 12 o'clock? Is it PM or AM?

12 AM is midnight and 12 PM is noon or midday.

Right. So PM starts from noon to 12 AM.

Yup. In the same way, AM starts from midnight to 12 PM!

Oh! This Ante Meridian and Post Meridian thing is so confusing.

Not anymore I hope!

And to think she was supposed to arrive at 20 minutes past 7...

She'll be here before 8:05 for sure.

quarter to eight means it's 15 minutes before eight.

I arrived at a quarter after four right?

I reached there at half past nine.

Suzie is often late by an hour!

1 AM is always morning, dude. 1 PM is in the afternoon.

12 AM is midnight and 12 PM is noon or mid day.