ExplanationThere are two common ways of telling the time.
Formal but easier waySay the hours first and then the minutes.
Example: 7:45 - seven forty-five
For minutes 01 through 09, you can pronounce the '0' as
oh.
Example: 11:06 - eleven (oh) six
More popular waySay the minutes first and then the hours. Use
past and the preceding hour for minutes 01 through 30. Use
to and the forthcoming hour for minutes 31 through 59, but .
Example: 7.15 - fifteen minutes past seven
Example: 7.45 - fifteen minutes to eight
Another possibility of saying '15 minutes past' is:
a quarter pastAnother possibility of saying '15 minutes to' is:
a quarter toAnother possibility of saying '30 minutes past' is:
half pastExample: 5:30 - half past five
WatchNoteUse
o'clock only at the full hour.
Example: 7:00 - seven o'clock (but 7:10 - ten past seven)