As a language expert with a deep understanding of both English and Chinese, I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the phrase "quarter to four." This phrase is a part of the rich tapestry of time expressions that are used in English-speaking cultures to denote specific times of the day. Understanding these expressions can be quite useful, especially when it comes to scheduling appointments, catching trains, or simply communicating the time in a more conversational manner.
"Quarter to four" is a way to express the time that is 15 minutes before four o'clock. In the context of the 12-hour clock system, which is commonly used in the United States, this would be 3:45 PM. The term "quarter" here refers to a quarter of an hour, which is equivalent to 15 minutes. This is part of a larger set of time expressions that include "half past" (which indicates half an hour or 30 minutes past the hour), and "fifteen" (which is another way to say a quarter of an hour, though it's less commonly used in this context).
The phrase "three forty-five" is another way to say "quarter to four." It's a more direct way of stating the time, using the minutes past the hour. This is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in a schedule or a timetable.
Another expression that you might come across is "four o'clock," which is a straightforward way to say the time is exactly four hours after twelve noon or midnight, depending on whether it's AM or PM. This is often used in formal settings or when precision is required.
The term "four quarters 4:00" seems to be a bit of a misnomer. A quarter of an hour is 15 minutes, so four quarters would be 60 minutes, which is exactly one hour. Therefore, "four quarters 4:00" would be a redundant way to express 4:00, which is already a complete hour.
In the context of radio broadcasts, you might hear the time announced as "the hour" followed by the hour number. For example, "the hour is three" would mean it's 3:00 PM or AM, depending on the time of day.
It's also worth noting that the use of "04" is less common in spoken English. The number four is typically used to denote the hour, and the minutes are expressed separately. However, in digital or written formats, you might see "04:00" to represent four o'clock.
In summary, "quarter to four" is a colloquial way to express the time that is 15 minutes before four o'clock. It's part of a broader set of time expressions that are used to communicate the time in a more conversational and less formal manner. Understanding these expressions can help you navigate social and professional settings where the time of day is an important factor.
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So, a quarter of four is 15 minutes before 4 o'clock you could also say three 45, or 45 so i was used to these time expressions half past three, four, fifteen the hour (usually on radio) but can't remember ever hearing 04. Four quarters 4 00, 4am, four o'clock. Duolingoenglish club.Sep 19, 2017read more >>