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Learning how to ask the time and use numbers is an essential step for everyday communication in English. Whether you are traveling, meeting friends, attending class, or simply shopping, knowing how to handle time expressions and numbers will make your conversations smoother and more natural. In this lesson, we will cover common phrases for asking the time, telling the time, and using numbers in real-life contexts.<\/p>\n
Imagine you are in a new city and need to catch a bus. You might ask:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time does the bus leave?\u201d<\/em> \u201cWhat time should I meet you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Similarly, numbers are everywhere\u2014when you buy food, pay for a taxi, or exchange phone numbers. Without them, daily life can be confusing. By the end of this lesson, you will feel confident asking the time, giving the time, and handling numbers in English.<\/p>\n Here are the most common ways to ask what time it is:<\/p>\n What time is it?<\/strong> (Most common and simple)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Do you have the time?<\/strong> (Polite, casual)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Could you tell me the time, please?<\/strong> (Polite and formal)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Anna:<\/strong> Excuse me, what time is it? When answering, you usually begin with \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s three o\u2019clock.<\/strong> (3:00)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s half past two.<\/strong> (2:30)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s a quarter past four.<\/strong> (4:15)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s a quarter to six.<\/strong> (5:45)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s ten past seven.<\/strong> (7:10)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s twenty to nine.<\/strong> (8:40)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In modern English, many people also use the digital style:<\/p>\n It\u2019s three fifteen.<\/strong> (3:15)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s five forty-five.<\/strong> (5:45)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s eight thirty.<\/strong> (8:30)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Both traditional (quarter past, half past) and digital forms are correct.<\/p>\n To avoid confusion, add these words:<\/p>\n in the morning<\/strong> (6:00 AM \u2013 11:59 AM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n in the afternoon<\/strong> (12:00 PM \u2013 5:59 PM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n in the evening<\/strong> (6:00 PM \u2013 9:00 PM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n at night<\/strong> (9:00 PM \u2013 11:59 PM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Example:<\/p>\n It\u2019s nine o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n The party starts at seven in the evening.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Ask your partner: \u201cWhat time is it now?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Answer using both traditional and digital forms. Example:<\/p>\n It\u2019s half past ten.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s ten thirty.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Numbers are everywhere. Let\u2019s review the basics.<\/p>\n One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen \u2026 twenty<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety, one hundred<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n I have three brothers.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n She bought twenty apples.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n The hotel is on the fifteenth floor.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n First, second, third, fourth, fifth \u2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tenth, twentieth, thirtieth, hundredth<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n Today is the first of May.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n My birthday is on the twenty-second of July.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n This is my second time in Cebu.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n How much is this?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s fifty pesos.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n The ticket costs one hundred and twenty pesos.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n How old are you?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n I\u2019m twenty-five years old.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Say each number separately. Example:<\/p>\n 0917 345 6789 \u2192 zero nine one seven, three four five, six seven eight nine<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Today is September third, twenty twenty-five.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n The meeting is on July fifteenth.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Lisa:<\/strong> How much is this bag? Tom:<\/strong> When is your birthday? In some countries, people use the 24-hour clock<\/strong> (e.g., 15:00 instead of 3:00 PM). Learn to read both formats.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n In phone numbers, \u201c0\u201d can be said as zero<\/em> or oh<\/em>. Example: 604 can be six zero four<\/em> or six oh four<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n When saying years:<\/p>\n 1995 \u2192 nineteen ninety-five<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2025 \u2192 twenty twenty-five<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n To ask the time: \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n To answer: \u201cIt\u2019s three o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Numbers are used for age, prices, phone numbers, and dates.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Practice both traditional (quarter past, half past) and digital (3:15, 4:30) styles.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Ask three friends what time it is now and answer back with full sentences.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Write your phone number in English.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Practice saying your age, birthday, and today\u2019s date aloud.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Imagine you are buying food. Ask: \u201cHow much is this?\u201d<\/em> and answer with numbers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Mastering time and numbers in English is a key skill for daily conversations. Once you can ask and answer about the time, read prices, give your phone number, and say dates, you will feel more confident in almost any situation. Practice regularly, listen to how native speakers say time and numbers, and soon it will become natural.<\/p>\n Day 1: Daily Greetings \u2013 Basic Phrases for Any Time of the Day<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 2: Introducing Yourself \u2013 Name, Country, Job<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 3: Talking About the Weather<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 4: Asking the Time and Numbers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 5: Ordering Coffee at a Caf\u00e9<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Day 6: Asking \u201cHow Much Is This?\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 7: Paying \u2013 Cash or Card<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 8: Bargaining and Discounts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 9: Buying Clothes \u2013 Size and Color<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Day 10: Grocery Shopping Basics<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Or you may have an appointment and someone asks you:<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nAsking the Time<\/h2>\n
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Example Dialogue<\/h3>\n
Ben:<\/strong> It\u2019s three o\u2019clock.
Anna:<\/strong> Thank you!
Ben:<\/strong> You\u2019re welcome.<\/p>\n
\nTelling the Time<\/h2>\n
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Digital Time<\/h3>\n
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\nMorning, Afternoon, Evening, Night<\/h2>\n
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\nPractice Exercise \u2013 Asking and Telling Time<\/h2>\n
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\nUsing Numbers in Daily Life<\/h2>\n
Cardinal Numbers (for counting)<\/h3>\n
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Ordinal Numbers (for order)<\/h3>\n
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\nNumbers in Real Conversations<\/h2>\n
Prices and Money<\/h3>\n
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Age<\/h3>\n
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Phone Numbers<\/h3>\n
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Dates<\/h3>\n
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\nPractice Dialogue \u2013 Numbers<\/h2>\n
Seller:<\/strong> It\u2019s seven hundred pesos.
Lisa:<\/strong> Okay, I\u2019ll take it.<\/p>\n
Anna:<\/strong> It\u2019s on the twelfth of December.<\/p>\n
\nCultural Tips<\/h2>\n
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\nQuick Review<\/h2>\n
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\nPractice Exercises<\/h2>\n
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\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
Day 1\u20135: Morning & Daily Life<\/h3>\n
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Day 6\u201310: Shopping & Money<\/h3>\n
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Day 11\u201315: Food & Eating Out<\/h3>\n