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How to tell the time in English

how to tell the time in English

What time is it?

How to tell the time in English

Tick-tock it’s nearly 2017!

Let’s start by looking at the clock here on our right.

The clock shows for example, that it’s ten to two in the afternoon 13:50

The first half of the hour is always past and the second half is always to.

to and past in giving the time

 

Let’s use two o’clock (14:00) as an example.

First half of the clock

Five past two 14:05

Ten past two 14:10

A Quarter past two or you can say two fifteen  14:15

Twenty past two 14:20

Twenty- five past two 14:25

In English we always say that thirty minutes have Pasted.

Half past two or two thirty 14:30

Second half of the clock

After thirty minutes have pasted it changes to To because now we are looking towards the next hour:

Twenty- five minutes to three 14:35

Twenty to three 14:40

A Quarter to three or 14:45

Ten to three 14:50

Five to three 14:55

Three o’clock 15:00

What time is it?

When asked the time we should always say it is …….. or it’s three o’clock.

  • It’s ten past two. 14:10

We use AT+ Time when giving the time of a specific event.

  • The show starts at eight o’clock 20:00
  • Let’s meet outside at quarter to seven. 19:45
  • I’ll meet you at the restaurant at six thirty or half past six 18:30

When we write the time like in most languages we just use numbers:

  • Meet you at 19:30 there.
  • I get up at 08:30 every day.

See you in the next post!!!

 

 

 

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How to use the preposition IN

IN

In this short video I explain how to use the preposition IN.

The Preposition In

Used for unspecific times during a day, month, season or year:

  • I like reading in the morning
  • I like to do my exercises in the morning
  • It’s Christmas in December!!!

Used to indicate a shape, colour, or size:

  • Have you got these in size 7?
  • I always buy my coats in black.

Used to indicate a location or place:

  • I think I’m in the wrong town.
  • I live in town I’ll take you to the train station.
  • Oh no… I think my passport is in my other bag

Used to indicate a belief, opinion, interest, or feeling:

I believe in being positive!

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When to use Then and Than

A trick to know when to use Then and Thanthen or than

English has a lot of confusing words especially those words that look and sound the similar.

Than and Then are hard to know when to use even for native users!

The trick to know when to use which is easy! Than is for comparisons so if you are not comparing something: use then.

Let’s talk about then.than and then

Then is used when you want to talk about a sequence of events, giving instructions in a step-by-step order or when time is involved the word then is used.

  • Come over this afternoon; I’ll be ready then.
  • If my flight is cancelled then I won’t be able to go to the wedding!
  • When you reach the traffic light then turn left.
  • Wash the dishes then dry them.

Than is used to compare.

  • A lion is more aggressive than a house cat.
  • I prefer biscuits than cake.
  • The Amazon River is wider than the Nile.

Here is a video explaining it all!

If you would like me to discuss any other words in English you find confusing, let me know by contacting me at: www.info@studyonlineenglish.com

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Understanding English

Improve your listening skills

listening

Great ideas on how to improve your English listening skills

Languages never stay the same. Think about the place where you are from and the way people speak. Now think about a town or city a hundred kilometers in any direction. They probably speak in a different way to you. For any language learner it is important to learn and get used to the differences in: accent, speed, fluency, pronunciation, emotion and so on.

The best way you can achieve this in English is by exposing yourself to a variety of English accents through listening.

Listen to English as part of your everyday life whenever you can, when you are getting ready in the morning, cooking, cleaning, organizing your house or when you’re exercising.

You will be amazed how your English will improve because without realising you will learn new vocabulary and grammar.

Here’s what can help you!

  • Listen to an English radio station.
  • Watch your favourite TV series or movie in English with subtitles in your own language at first. When you feel more confident watch it only in English with English subtitles.
  • Get an Audiobook of one of your favourite books that you have already read and listen to it when you can. http://www.audible.com/
  • When there is a language exchange event in your area try and talk to as many native English speakers as you can.
  • Listen to podcasts this is a great site it has lots and lots of  great topics to listen to: https://player.fm/en/featured/education or google a topic that you are really interested in, e.g. type science podcast etc.

To improve your grammar

Here is a link to a great site of animated videos of conversations that focus on different grammatical structures, such as reported speech, articles and modals. Each video comes with activities and transcripts.

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos

For intermediate to advanced learners

This is a collection of short audio recordings, suitable for intermediate to advanced students, about issues connected with business and academic issues, from biotechnology, eBay and developing creativity.  They are usually monologues

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/professionals-podcasts

One of the best places to find high quality listening material

Is through the British Council websites and podcasts. They offer a fantastic selection of audio and video materials, most of which contain lesson plans and tasks that you can do. http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch

Enjoy!!!!

 

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How do you say __________?

 

Sorry could you repeat that please?

When you have trouble understanding someone you can control the speed of the conversation.
It’s important to control the conversation, with nice English expressions that communicate to the other person that you don’t understand something and you need a little help and a little patience.
Listen to examples in this video!

Laugh at your mistakes, smile when you say something correctly.
When you are happy and relaxed you will speak better English!
Don’t worry if it goes badly.
Some conversations will go badly it doesn’t matter. Think about it, conversations sometimes go badly when you’re talking in your own language too! Smile take a break. Start again later.
Most importantly smile and have fun!

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Rings a bell.

rings a bell

The way English people speak.

 

As you have probably already noticed in English we use a lot of idioms and expressions. In this short video, I will explain what  rings a bell means.

 

Someone called Flor called me yesterday, her name rings a bell but I cant remember who she is?

Do you ever find it hard remembering people? I know I do!

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