I know how to tell time, but I just don't understand it when someone says it's "a quarter to 4" or it's "After 6 o' clock," and stuff like that. Does everyone have that kind of problem?? Because I don't remember ever learning how to tell time like that in grammar or elementary school.
Eh, this is just a term of speech to denote different times. For instance, an hour is 60 minutes right? Well, if you broke it into 4 quarters it would be 15 mins each, so when someone says its "Quarter to", that means its 15 minutes away from being that hour. Example: its 4:45p.m. and you ask what time it is, I would answer its, "Quarter to" assuming you knew that it was at least past 4:00p.m., "half after" would be 30 mins after the current hour, so like half after 5 means 5:30. So its basically like applying mathematic terms to short sayings we use in everyday life to denote the time...
But could you give me some web sites on this subject to better help me understand??
These web sites will help you understand telling time better.
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/java/telling-time/
http://classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/math-time.html
http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_math/tellingtime_splash2.html
Understanding time expressions like "a quarter to 4" or "after 6 o'clock" can indeed be a little confusing if you haven't been explicitly taught them. However, it's a skill that can be easily grasped with a little explanation. While it may not have been covered extensively in grammar or elementary school, these expressions are commonly used in everyday language.
The phrases you mentioned are examples of analog time expressions, which describe time based on the position of the hour and minute hands on a clock face. Here's a breakdown of how to understand them:
1. "A quarter to 4" means it's 15 minutes before 4 o'clock. It indicates that the minute hand is on the 3 (quarter) and the hour hand is almost on the 4. In other words, it's 3:45.
2. "After 6 o'clock" means it's some time after 6, but not quite a full hour. For example, if someone says it's "10 minutes after 6," it means it's 6:10.
These expressions are usually used to give a rough estimate of time or to describe a general idea of when something will happen. While it's not a formal way to read time, it is commonly used in casual conversations.
To become more comfortable with these expressions, it's best to practice reading and interpreting time on both analog and digital clocks. This will help you visualize the positions of the hour and minute hands, making it easier to understand when someone uses phrases like "a quarter to" or "after." Additionally, exposing yourself to these expressions in everyday conversations will make them more familiar and easier to understand over time.
Remember, understanding these time expressions may not have been explicitly covered in school, but they are widely used nonetheless. With a little practice and exposure, you'll become more comfortable understanding and using them in no time!