As a language expert with a deep understanding of both English and Chinese, I'm here to provide you with accurate and helpful information regarding your query about time expressions. Let's delve into the nuances of time and how we express them in English.
When we talk about "a quarter to 4," we're referring to a specific time that is 15 minutes before the hour of 4 o'clock. This is a common way to express time in English, where "quarter" signifies a quarter of an hour, which is 15 minutes. So, "a quarter to 4" means it's 3:45 in the afternoon. It's important to note that this expression is typically used for times in the afternoon or evening, as for morning times, people might use "in the morning" or "AM" to clarify.
The expression "three 45" is another way to say the same thing, emphasizing the minutes past the hour. However, this is less commonly used and might be considered less formal or clear to some English speakers. The phrase "45 to" is not a standard way to express time and could lead to confusion.
When we talk about "half past three," "four," or "fifteen," these are all ways to express the time in increments of 30 minutes or 15 minutes past the hour. "Half past three" means 3:30, "four" could mean 4:00 if the context is clear, and "fifteen" could mean 15 minutes past the hour, which would be 3:15 or 4:15, depending on the context.
The term "the hour" is sometimes used in formal contexts, like in news broadcasts or formal announcements, where you might hear "It's eight o'clock" or "The time is now four o'clock." This is a more formal way to state the exact hour.
Regarding the term "Four quarters 4 00," this seems to be a confusion. "Four quarters" would typically mean four periods of 15 minutes each, which totals to an hour. So, if someone were to say "four quarters," it would usually mean 4:00 or 4 o'clock. The "00" seems to be an error or a misinterpretation, as it's not a standard way to express time in English.
Lastly, the term "04" is not a standard way to express time in English. It might be used in digital or military contexts, where "04:00" would mean 4:00 AM. However, in everyday conversation, people would simply say "four o'clock" or "four in the morning" to be clear.
In summary, when someone says "a quarter to 4," they mean it's 3:45 PM. It's a concise way to express a time that is 15 minutes before the hour. Other expressions like "half past three" or "four fifteen" serve similar purposes, indicating times that are 30 or 15 minutes past the hour, respectively. The key to understanding these expressions is to be aware of the context in which they are used.
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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 >>