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The right way to say the time?
Let's say its 7:45 can't I say its 45 minutes past 7 or when its 7:55 its 55 minutes past 7?? Instead of It's quarter to eight or It's 5 to 8.
People say its wrong when I say that so I was just wondering...
Sorry is this is a dumbass question but I need to clear the air!
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It is common to use lower minute values. so for example if the time is 7:50, it is more common to say "ten till eight", rather than "fifty past seven." I do not think there are any official grammar rules that outlaw "fifty past seven" it is just not common.
i hate the "ten till eight" thing because it causes the listener to do a little math and if they misunderstand then they may think it is 8:10 or 8:50
I personally don't like ether of these I would rather just say "seven fifty". It is shorter and clearer
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First there is no such thing as a dumbass question only a question not asked is dumb.
When it comes to telling someone the time it is really a matter of personal preference. Since this is the digital age I would think if it is 7:45 then say it is 7:45. Being of the older generation I might say it is a quarter to eight. If it is 7:55 I might say it is 10 of 8.
Really there is no right or wrong way to tell time. Way back in the dark ages of the Flintstones when I was taught to tell time the taught us to say the minutes first then the hour. So 7:45 would be 45 past 7. Still nothing say that is the right way it was just how teachers taught back then.
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Hiya! Dr.D here!
you are completely right. You can state the minutes before the hour. The only dumbass is the ones who said you were a dumbass.
-Dr.D
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This is not a dumbass question. Dumbass description goes to those who told you it was wrong. So thanks for coming here to ask.
I think its a matter of choice for people. I know most people switch back and forth on what they say and knowing why I switch, it depends on the importance of my schedule at the time. If we are on the road heading for an appt that is on the hour, and its getting close, I would say its a quarter to 3 or 5 minutes till 3 rather than 3:45. By doing so, I am choosing in a silent way to let hubby know we can not dawdle and try to make it thru the next couple traffic lights without speeding. If one of us was feeling hungry and just wanted to compare how long ago we ate, then I might be informing him that it is 6:35, so he can calculate how long ago he ate or he'd say, "Well no wonder I am hungry. Lets get dinner."
If someone notices you wear a watch and asks you for the time you can tell them the 7:55 version. If however they choose to tell you they need to call someone back at 8 and wondered what the time was, I would then say it's five till 8, so they know its not much longer till they can call or perhaps they will judge its close enough and go make that call.
There is no wrong way to say it.
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