Telling time in U. K. English

SeaBookGuy · 07-10-2011, 04:51 PM

In British books, the time is always given as something along the lines of "twenty-five minutes to six", which causes me to have to imagine a clock face at 6:00 and then push the minute hand back to the 7 mark. I would automatically say "five thirty five" instead. Even "half past six" sounds a bit archaic to me. Other than citing timetable/schedule entries, do our British friends say "five thirty five" in conversation? Or does that sound ... I dunno ... wonky there? Is this a generational thing (although I'm an old goat myself)?

Bilbo1967 · 07-10-2011, 04:59 PM

Personally, in everyday conversation, I would always say "twenty five to six" (or similar). 5:35 sounds a bit formal to my ear.

ChrisBarker · 07-10-2011, 05:01 PM

I think it varies but I myself use the "twenty-five minutes to six" form, although in actual conversation (say a stranger asking the time) it goes something more like :

"Alright mate, got the time?"
"Twenty-five to."
"Six?"
"Yeah."
"Cheers"

We don't really say "minutes" as that's a bit formal, it does mean we round up a bit, it's always "quarter to six" rather than fifteen or fourteen or thirteen.

GeoffC · 07-10-2011, 05:10 PM

What they've said ....

pthwaite · 07-10-2011, 05:16 PM

Yes,
25 to whatever or quarter to, likewise, 20 past etc, not very often five thirty-five

Howard

theducks · 07-10-2011, 05:30 PM

Just after 3 Bells

Argh

carpetmojo · 07-10-2011, 05:42 PM

Whatever comes to mind, never think about it, sometimes to the hour , sometimes past the hour............

Our national psyche has been liberated, didn't you know ?

The pubs don't have to shut at a set time now, so frankly, my dears, we don't give a ...... monkeys, probably, damn's so common.

And Chris is right, minutes don't come into it much, no time for 'em.

taustin · 07-10-2011, 05:45 PM

I suspect it's largely a matter of whether or not you grew up with analog clocks or digital. If you're used to digital clocks, it's quite natural to give the exact time. With analog clocks - ones with a clock face - it's rather more natural to round off based on the position of the hands. At 5:45, the minute hand is on the left side, and it therefore closer to the next hour than the last one.

Jadon · 07-10-2011, 05:50 PM

I and everyone around me don't say "twenty to six," we say "twenty of six" and the to form has always sounded more like a score to me than a time.

orlok · 07-10-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadon

I and everyone around me don't say "twenty to six," we say "twenty of six" and the to form has always sounded more like a score to me than a time.

Not in the UK, which is what the OP was asking (don't know where you live). It would always be something "to" or "past" the hour.

SeaBookGuy · 07-10-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Personally, in everyday conversation, I would always say "twenty five to six" (or similar). 5:35 sounds a bit formal to my ear.

I had though "five thirty five" would seem less formal.

In the States, I have heard "quarter of six" but it's rare and pretty much archaic now vs. five-forty-five.

Another one that's U. K. specific is "It's gone seven!" (U. S. = "It's after seven!")

If you're scheduling say a dentist apppointment, would you expect the receptionist to say, "On that date I have something open at twenty past six?" Here you'd likely get " ... I can do six twenty"

elcreative · 07-10-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

I had though "five thirty five" would seem less formal.

In the States, I have heard "quarter of six" but it's rare and pretty much archaic now vs. five-forty-five.

Another one that's U. K. specific is "It's gone seven!" (U. S. = "It's after seven!")

If you're scheduling say a dentist apppointment, would you expect the receptionist to say, "On that date I have something open at twenty past six?" Here you'd likely get " ... I can do six twenty"

Same in the UK when you're doing appointments etc except more likely to be "Is six twenty all right/OK?"... twenty past six is conversational...

Bilbo1967 · 07-10-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Same in the UK when you're doing appointments etc except more likely to be "Is six twenty all right/OK?"... twenty past six is conversational...

That seems pretty much spot on to me.

Fbone · 07-10-2011, 07:29 PM

At least you don't need a calculator to tell the time.

Try "12 stone 4."

TedJ · 07-10-2011, 07:30 PM

I say it's five thirty five but finish with, "and all is well!"

07-10-2011, 04:51 PM	#1
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 1,720 Karma: 1059655 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle, USA Device: Sony 650	Telling time in U. K. English In British books, the time is always given as something along the lines of "twenty-five minutes to six", which causes me to have to imagine a clock face at 6:00 and then push the minute hand back to the 7 mark. I would automatically say "five thirty five" instead. Even "half past six" sounds a bit archaic to me. Other than citing timetable/schedule entries, do our British friends say "five thirty five" in conversation? Or does that sound ... I dunno ... wonky there? Is this a generational thing (although I'm an old goat myself)?

07-10-2011, 04:59 PM	#2
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 6,352 Karma: 18574228 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solihull, UK Device: Sony 650, Sony T2, Xoom, Nexus 7, Nook ST	Personally, in everyday conversation, I would always say "twenty five to six" (or similar). 5:35 sounds a bit formal to my ear. __________________ The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. Mark Twain My early and invincible love of reading, . . . I would not exchange for the treasures of India. Edward Gibbon

07-10-2011, 05:10 PM	#4
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 26,684 Karma: 16550486 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	What they've said .... __________________ > My Cats

07-10-2011, 05:16 PM	#5
pthwaite Fanatic Posts: 595 Karma: 430 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ellesmere Port, UK Device: DR1000S Sony PRS505 iPad iPhone	Yes, 25 to whatever or quarter to, likewise, 20 past etc, not very often five thirty-five Howard __________________ Howard "DRM: Distressed Reading Members."

07-10-2011, 05:30 PM	#6
theducks Staff to 4 Cats Posts: 10,713 Karma: 2485850 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The (original) Silicon Valley, USA Device: Galaxy Tab 2,Black Astak PEz, K4NT(now Wifes)	Just after 3 Bells Argh __________________ Using: Ubuntu(32 bit):Oneric,Precise and XPpro SP3, W7HP(64)- - Libre Office w/Writer2EPUB

07-10-2011, 05:01 PM	#3
ChrisBarker Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Amazon Kindle	I think it varies but I myself use the "twenty-five minutes to six" form, although in actual conversation (say a stranger asking the time) it goes something more like : "Alright mate, got the time?" "Twenty-five to." "Six?" "Yeah." "Cheers" We don't really say "minutes" as that's a bit formal, it does mean we round up a bit, it's always "quarter to six" rather than fifteen or fourteen or thirteen.

07-10-2011, 05:42 PM	#7
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 2,896 Karma: 8604393 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS650, 350, T1, T2 .	Whatever comes to mind, never think about it, sometimes to the hour , sometimes past the hour............ Our national psyche has been liberated, didn't you know ? The pubs don't have to shut at a set time now, so frankly, my dears, we don't give a ...... monkeys, probably, damn's so common. And Chris is right, minutes don't come into it much, no time for 'em.

07-10-2011, 05:45 PM	#8
taustin Wizard Posts: 1,139 Karma: 5245236 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nook	I suspect it's largely a matter of whether or not you grew up with analog clocks or digital. If you're used to digital clocks, it's quite natural to give the exact time. With analog clocks - ones with a clock face - it's rather more natural to round off based on the position of the hands. At 5:45, the minute hand is on the left side, and it therefore closer to the next hour than the last one.

07-10-2011, 05:50 PM	#9
Jadon Hermit Posts: 192 Karma: 9425 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Kindle Keyboard, Kobo Glo	I and everyone around me don't say "twenty to six," we say "twenty of six" and the to form has always sounded more like a score to me than a time.

07-10-2011, 07:29 PM	#14
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 4,104 Karma: 57695741 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NJ Device: Searching ...	At least you don't need a calculator to tell the time. Try "12 stone 4."

07-10-2011, 07:30 PM	#15
TedJ Groupie Posts: 189 Karma: 86778 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia Device: HTC Desire w/Aldiko, Kobo Touch	I say it's five thirty five but finish with, "and all is well!"

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