FIVE AFTER FOUR / FOUR-OH-FIVE

 Learning how to express time, especially minutes after the hour, is essential in everyday English communication. In this topic, we’ll focus on saying "five after four" (4:05) and the alternative "four-oh-five." Both expressions indicate that five minutes have passed after four o'clock. This lesson will provide you with grammar rules, vocabulary, useful expressions, sentences, questions, answers, conversation, and a short reading to help you master the topic.

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Grammar

Telling Time

• To express minutes after the hour, we typically use the structure: (minutes) after (hour) or (hour)-(minutes).

  • Example: "It’s five after four" or "It’s four-oh-five."

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

  • Example: "It’s five after four in the morning" (4:05 AM).
  • Example: "It’s four-oh-five in the afternoon" (4:05 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 five after four."

Alternative Ways to Say Time

• Instead of "five after four," you can say "four-oh-five."
• For informal speech, the digital format is often used: "four-oh-five" (4:05).

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Vocabulary

• After: Indicates minutes past the hour.

  • Example: "It’s ten after four." (4:10)

• Oh: Used when saying single-digit minutes in digital format.

  • Example: "It’s four-oh-five." (4:05)

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

• Exact time: Indicates the precise time without approximation.

  • Example: "It’s exactly four-oh-five."

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Useful Expressions

• "What time is it?"
• "It’s five after four."
• "It’s four-oh-five."
• "I’ll be there at five after four."
• "The meeting starts at four-oh-five sharp."
• "Is it already five after four?"

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Sentences

1. "It’s five after four, we need to hurry."
2. "The bus arrives at five after four every day."
3. "I have a call at four-oh-five this afternoon."
4. "They always start the meeting at five after four sharp."
5. "It’s already four-oh-five, we’re late!"

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Questions and Answers

1. Q: What time is it?

   • A: It’s five after four.

2. Q: When is the appointment?

   • A: The appointment is at four-oh-five.

3. Q: Is it four o’clock yet?

   • A: No, it’s five after four.

4. Q: What time does your class start?

   • A: My class starts at four-oh-five.

5. Q: Is it five after four AM or PM?

   • A: It’s five after four in the afternoon (PM).

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Conversation

Mike: Hey Sarah, do you know what time it is?
Sarah: Yes, it’s five after four.
Mike: Oh, I thought it was earlier. What time is the meeting again?
Sarah: It’s at four-oh-five.
Mike: Great! We’ve got time. Let’s head to the conference room.
Sarah: Sure, we’ll make it just in time.

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Reading: A Perfectly Timed Day

Alex is always punctual. Today, he has an important presentation at five after four in the afternoon. He arrives at the office early, at three-thirty, to prepare. By four-oh-five, Alex is ready and starts his presentation right on time. His colleagues appreciate his punctuality and professionalism. After the presentation, he checks his watch—it’s only five after five! He finishes his day with a smile, knowing everything went according to plan.