ELEVEN FORTY-FIVE / QUARTER TO TWELVE

 When telling time in English, there are different ways to express minutes before the hour. "Eleven forty-five" (11:45) and "quarter to twelve" both refer to the same time—15 minutes before noon or midnight. Learning how to use both forms helps in understanding both formal and informal ways of telling time. This topic will explore grammar, vocabulary, useful expressions, sentences, questions, answers, conversation, and reading based on the time "eleven forty-five."

---

Grammar

Telling Time

• To express time 15 minutes before the next hour, we use:

  • Quarter to (next hour).
    • Example: "It’s a quarter to twelve." (11:45)

• For the digital format, use:

  • (hour)-(minutes).
    • Example: "It’s eleven forty-five." (11:45)

• AM/PM is used to specify if the time is in the morning or afternoon/evening.

  • Example: "It’s eleven forty-five in the morning." (11:45 AM)
  • Example: "It’s a quarter to twelve at night." (11:45 PM)

Asking the Time

• You can ask what time it is by saying:
  • "What time is it?"
  • "Do you know the time?"

Prepositions of Time

• Use at to indicate a specific time:
  • Example: "The train leaves at a quarter to twelve."
• You can also say:
  • "The meeting is at eleven forty-five."

Alternative Expressions

• "Quarter to twelve" is a more informal, conversational way to express 11:45, while "eleven forty-five" is more common in formal or written settings.

---

Vocabulary

• Quarter: A quarter of an hour is 15 minutes.

  • Example: "It’s a quarter to twelve." (11:45)

• To: Used to express time approaching the next hour.

  • Example: "It’s ten to twelve." (11:50)

• Forty-five: The number used to indicate 45 minutes past the hour.

  • Example: "It’s eleven forty-five."

• AM/PM: Used to distinguish between morning and afternoon/evening.

---

Useful Expressions

• "What time is it?"
• "It’s eleven forty-five."
• "It’s a quarter to twelve."
• "The movie starts at a quarter to twelve."
• "I’ll be there at eleven forty-five."
• "Is it already a quarter to twelve?"

---

Sentences

1. "It’s eleven forty-five, time for lunch."
2. "The bus arrives at a quarter to twelve."
3. "I have a meeting at eleven forty-five in the morning."
4. "She always finishes her work by a quarter to twelve."
5. "The clock shows eleven forty-five."

---

Questions and Answers

1. Q: What time is it?

   • A: It’s a quarter to twelve.

2. Q: When does the train leave?

   • A: The train leaves at eleven forty-five.

3. Q: Is it eleven o’clock yet?

   • A: No, it’s a quarter to twelve.

4. Q: What time is your appointment?

   • A: My appointment is at eleven forty-five.

5. Q: Is it eleven forty-five in the morning or the evening?

   • A: It’s eleven forty-five in the evening.

---

Conversation

Jake: Hey, what time are we meeting for lunch?
Lily: We’re meeting at a quarter to twelve, right before noon.
Jake: Oh, I thought it was at eleven forty-five.
Lily: It’s the same time! "Quarter to twelve" means 11:45.
Jake: Got it! I’ll see you there then.
Lily: See you soon, don’t be late!

---

Reading: Preparing for the Day

Jane has a busy schedule today. She wakes up early and has a meeting at eleven forty-five in the morning. She checks her calendar and sees that she has to be at the office by a quarter to twelve. She prepares her presentation and leaves home at eleven o'clock. By the time she arrives at the office, it's already eleven forty-five. She checks her watch and feels confident—she's right on time for her meeting.