EIGHT THIRTY / HALF PAST EIGHT

 Telling time is an important part of daily communication. "Eight thirty" (8:30) and "half past eight" are two ways to express the same time, referring to thirty minutes after eight o'clock. This lesson will help learners understand how to express this time in both formal (eight thirty) and informal (half past eight) ways. We will cover grammar, vocabulary, useful expressions, sentences, questions and answers, conversation, and reading related to "eight thirty."

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Grammar

Telling Time

• To express thirty minutes after the hour, we use two main structures:

  • Half past (hour).
    • Example: "It’s half past eight." (8:30)
  • (hour)-(minutes).
    • Example: "It’s eight thirty." (8:30)

• AM/PM is used to specify morning or afternoon/evening.

  • Example: "It’s eight thirty in the morning." (8:30 AM)
  • Example: "It’s half past eight at night." (8:30 PM)

Asking the Time

• You can ask what time it is using:
  • "What time is it?"
  • "Could you tell me the time?"

Prepositions of Time

• Use at to indicate a specific time.

  • Example: "The class starts at half past eight."

• You can also say:

  • "The meeting is at eight thirty."

Alternative Expressions

• Eight thirty is more commonly used in formal situations, while half past eight is often heard in casual conversations.

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Vocabulary

• Half past: Refers to 30 minutes after the hour.

  • Example: "It’s half past eight." (8:30)

• Thirty: Refers to 30 minutes after the hour in digital time.

  • Example: "It’s eight thirty."

• AM/PM: Distinguishes between morning and afternoon/evening.

• Morning/Night: Helps specify whether it’s 8:30 AM or PM.

  • Example: "It’s eight thirty at night."

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Useful Expressions

• "What time is it?"
• "It’s eight thirty."
• "It’s half past eight."
• "The meeting starts at half past eight."
• "I’ll see you at eight thirty."
• "Is it already half past eight?"

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Sentences

1. "It’s eight thirty, and the store just opened."
2. "The bus arrives at half past eight."
3. "I have an appointment at eight thirty tomorrow morning."
4. "She always goes to bed at half past eight."
5. "Let’s meet at eight thirty tonight."

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Questions and Answers

1. Q: What time is it?

   • A: It’s half past eight.

2. Q: When does your flight leave?

   • A: My flight leaves at eight thirty.

3. Q: Is it already eight o’clock?

   • A: No, it’s half past eight.

4. Q: What time is your class?

   • A: My class starts at eight thirty in the morning.

5. Q: Is it eight thirty AM or PM?

   • A: It’s eight thirty in the evening.

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Conversation

Tom: Hi Emily, what time are we meeting tomorrow?
Emily: We’re meeting at half past eight in the morning.
Tom: So, that’s eight thirty, right?
Emily: Exactly, eight thirty sharp!
Tom: Got it! I’ll see you at the coffee shop at eight thirty.
Emily: See you then, don’t be late!

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Reading: A Morning Routine

David has a strict morning routine. He wakes up every day at half past six and starts his day with a cup of coffee. By eight thirty, he’s ready to go to the gym for his morning workout. He spends an hour at the gym and returns home by half past nine. His first meeting of the day is always at half past eight, so he needs to be ready. David enjoys having a schedule, especially when his day starts exactly at eight thirty every morning.