ESL Vocabulary for Time
Time
The following page has learning games and example sentences using the following 18 words from the "time" category:Memory Game
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Example Sentences
night
Night is the period of darkness that occurs between sunset and sunrise when the sun is below the horizon. It is typically associated with rest, sleep, and reduced daylight.
Easy Examples
- Night is when it's dark outside.
- You go to bed at night.
- Some people like looking at stars at night.
Harder Examples
- The stars were visible in the night sky as we sat around the campfire.
- Some animals, like owls, are nocturnal and active during the night.
- Nighttime can be a peaceful and serene time for reflection and relaxation.
o clock
O'clock is a colloquial term used to indicate that the time is exactly on the hour, with no minutes past or before. It is often used to state the precise hour of the day.
Easy Examples
- O'clock means a specific time on the clock.
- When both hands point at 12, it's o'clock.
- Lunchtime is at 12 o'clock.
Harder Examples
- It's two o'clock, time for our meeting to start.
- She arrived at the airport at seven o'clock in the morning.
- O'clock simplifies time expressions to just the hour, eliminating the need to specify minutes.
quarter past
Quarter past is a time expression that indicates 15 minutes past the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved one-quarter of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Quarter past means 15 minutes past the hour.
- If it's 3:15, it's quarter past 3.
- School ends at quarter past 2.
Harder Examples
- Our train departs at quarter past nine, so we have some time to grab coffee.
- The school day begins at quarter past eight in the morning.
- Quarter past is a common way to express a specific time when the clock reads 15 minutes past the hour.
quarter to
Quarter to is a time expression that indicates 15 minutes before the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved three-quarters of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Quarter to means 15 minutes before the next hour.
- If it's 4:45, it's quarter to 5.
- Dinner is at quarter to 7.
Harder Examples
- The movie starts at quarter to seven, so we should leave soon.
- I have a meeting scheduled for quarter to three in the afternoon.
- Quarter to is used to convey a specific time when the clock shows 15 minutes before the hour.
ten past
Ten past is a time expression that indicates 10 minutes past the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved one-sixth of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Ten past means 10 minutes past the hour.
- If it's 8:10, it's ten past 8.
- The bus comes at ten past 9.
Harder Examples
- She called me at ten past midnight to wish me a happy birthday.
- The bus arrives at ten past the hour, so be ready at the bus stop.
- Ten past is a precise way to express the time when it is 10 minutes past the hour.
ten to
Ten to is a time expression that indicates 10 minutes before the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved five-sixths of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Ten to means 10 minutes before the next hour.
- If it's 6:50, it's ten to 7.
- The movie starts at ten to 3.
Harder Examples
- Our flight is scheduled to depart at ten to nine in the evening.
- I'll meet you at the park at ten to two this afternoon.
- Ten to is a specific way to convey the time when it is 10 minutes before the hour.
twenty five past
Twenty-five past is a time expression that indicates 25 minutes past the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved slightly past the halfway point of the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Twenty-five past means 25 minutes past the hour.
- If it's 7:25, it's twenty-five past 7.
- Lunchtime is at twenty-five past 12.
Harder Examples
- We'll reconvene the meeting at twenty-five past the hour.
- The bakery closes at twenty-five past six in the evening.
- Twenty-five past is used to specify the time when it is 25 minutes past the hour.
twenty five to
Twenty-five to is a time expression that indicates 25 minutes before the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved slightly past the three-quarters point of the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Twenty-five to means 25 minutes before the next hour.
- If it's 5:35, it's twenty-five to 6.
- Dinner is at twenty-five to 7.
Harder Examples
- The train departs at twenty-five to eight, so we need to hurry.
- I'll be there at twenty-five to four in the afternoon.
- Twenty-five to is a precise way to convey the time when it is 25 minutes before the hour.
twenty past
Twenty past is a time expression that indicates 20 minutes past the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved one-third of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Twenty past means 20 minutes past the hour.
- If it's 9:20, it's twenty past 9.
- The party starts at twenty past 8.
Harder Examples
- Our dinner reservation is at twenty past seven in the evening.
- The school day ends at twenty past three in the afternoon.
- Twenty past is used to specify the time when it is 20 minutes past the hour.
twenty to
Twenty to is a time expression that indicates 20 minutes before the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved two-thirds of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Twenty to means 20 minutes before the next hour.
- If it's 2:40, it's twenty to 3.
- The meeting is at twenty to 10.
Harder Examples
- We'll meet at twenty to nine in the morning to discuss the project.
- The event starts at twenty to five in the afternoon.
- Twenty to is a specific way to convey the time when it is 20 minutes before the hour.
afternoon
Afternoon is the time period between noon and evening, typically spanning from 12:00 PM (noon) to around 6:00 PM. It is the part of the day following the morning and preceding the evening.
Easy Examples
- Afternoon is the time between noon and evening.
- Lunchtime is in the afternoon.
- You play outside in the afternoon.
Harder Examples
- In the late afternoon, we enjoyed a picnic in the park.
- Afternoon meetings can be productive as people are generally more alert after lunch.
- Afternoon is a time for various activities, including work, relaxation, and socializing.
evening
Evening is the period of the day that follows the afternoon and precedes night. It usually begins around 6:00 PM and extends until bedtime. It is characterized by diminishing daylight and the transition to nighttime.
Easy Examples
- Evening is the time between afternoon and night.
- Dinner is in the evening.
- People relax in the evening.
Harder Examples
- We had a lovely dinner together in the evening.
- Evening walks are a great way to unwind and enjoy the cooler temperatures.
- In the evening, many people engage in leisure activities or spend time with family and friends.
five past
Five past is a time expression that indicates 5 minutes past the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved one-twelfth of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Five past means 5 minutes past the hour.
- If it's 1:05, it's five past 1.
- The game starts at five past 3.
Harder Examples
- The bus departs at five past the hour, so don't be late.
- I'll call you back in five minutes; it's currently five past the hour.
- Five past is a specific way to express the time when it is 5 minutes past the hour.
five to
Five to is a time expression that indicates 5 minutes before the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved eleven-twelfths of the way around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Five to means 5 minutes before the next hour.
- If it's 10:55, it's five to 11.
- The store closes at five to 9.
Harder Examples
- We'll meet at the cafe at five to eleven in the morning.
- The appointment is scheduled for five to three in the afternoon.
- Five to is a precise way to convey the time when it is 5 minutes before the hour.
half past
Half past is a time expression that indicates 30 minutes past the hour. It signifies that the minute hand of a clock has moved halfway around the clock face.
Easy Examples
- Half past means 30 minutes past the hour.
- If it's 4:30, it's half past 4.
- The movie starts at half past 6.
Harder Examples
- Dinner is served at half past six in the evening.
- We'll start the presentation at half past nine in the morning.
- Half past is used to specify the time when it is 30 minutes past the hour.
midday
Midday, also known as noon, is the point in the day when the sun is at its highest position in the sky. It is typically around 12:00 PM, and it marks the middle of the day.
Easy Examples
- Midday is another word for noon.
- Lunchtime is at midday.
- The sun is high in the sky at midday.
Harder Examples
- We usually have lunch at midday, around 12:30 PM.
- The sun is directly overhead at midday in equatorial regions.
- Midday is a common time for work breaks and meals.
midnight
Midnight is the point in the day when it transitions from one day to the next. It occurs at the beginning of a new day, typically at 12:00 AM (00:00), and is characterized by complete darkness.
Easy Examples
- Midnight is the middle of the night.
- People often sleep at midnight.
- Fireworks go off at midnight.
Harder Examples
- The New Year's Eve fireworks started at midnight to welcome the new year.
- Midnight is the quietest time of the day, with most people asleep.
- Some cultures have special traditions or celebrations at midnight.
morning
Morning is the early part of the day, typically spanning from sunrise to noon. It is a time when daylight gradually increases, and it marks the start of daily activities for many people.
Easy Examples
- Morning is the time between midnight and noon.
- Breakfast is in the morning.
- You wake up in the morning.
Harder Examples
- I like to go for a run in the morning before work.
- Morning is when I have the most energy and focus.
- Morning routines often include breakfast and preparing for the day ahead.
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