TWO (O'CLOCK)

 "Telling time" is an essential skill in English, and understanding how to express hours, like "two o'clock," helps in everyday communication. "Two o'clock" means that the time is 2:00, and it can refer to either 2:00 AM or 2:00 PM, depending on the context. In this topic, we will explore the grammar, vocabulary, and useful expressions related to telling time, especially focusing on the hour "two o'clock."

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Grammar

Telling Time

• To tell the time, we generally use the structure: It is + (hour) + o'clock.

  • Example: "It is two o'clock."

• AM is used for the hours from midnight (12:00) to noon (12:00).

  • Example: "It is two o'clock in the morning." (2:00 AM)

• PM is used for the hours from noon (12:00) to midnight (12:00).

  • Example: "It is two o'clock in the afternoon." (2:00 PM)

Asking the Time

• To ask what time it is, we can use:
  • "What time is it?"
  • "Do you know what time it is?"

Time Prepositions

• Use at to indicate a specific time.
  • Example: "The meeting is at two o'clock."

Approximate Times

• When talking about time approximately, we can say:
  • "It's almost two o'clock."
  • "It's around two o'clock."

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Vocabulary

• O'clock: Indicates the hour, without minutes.

  • Example: "It's three o'clock."

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

• Half past: Indicates 30 minutes after the hour.

  • Example: "It's half past two." (2:30)

• Quarter past: Indicates 15 minutes after the hour.

  • Example: "It's quarter past two." (2:15)

• Quarter to: Indicates 15 minutes before the hour.

  • Example: "It's quarter to two." (1:45)

• Sharp: Exactly at a specific time.

  • Example: "The train leaves at two o'clock sharp."

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Useful Expressions

• "What time is it?"
• "It's two o'clock."
• "I’ll meet you at two."
• "The meeting starts at two sharp."
• "It’s almost two."
• "It’s two o'clock in the afternoon."

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Sentences

1. "It’s two o’clock right now."
2. "The movie starts at two o'clock."
3. "I woke up at two o’clock this morning."
4. "She will call me at two o'clock."
5. "Is the class at two o'clock or three o'clock?"

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Questions and Answers

1. Q: What time is it?

   • A: It’s two o’clock.

2. Q: When does the meeting start?

   • A: The meeting starts at two o’clock.

3. Q: Is it two o'clock yet?

   • A: Yes, it is two o’clock now.

4. Q: What time do you have to leave?

   • A: I have to leave at two o’clock.

5. Q: Is it two in the morning or in the afternoon?

   • A: It’s two o'clock in the afternoon.

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Conversation

Anna: Hi John! What time are we meeting today?
John: We’re meeting at two o’clock.
Anna: Two o’clock? Is that AM or PM?
John: PM, in the afternoon.
Anna: Got it! I’ll be there on time.
John: Great! Let’s meet in front of the cafe.
Anna: Sounds good. See you at two o’clock!

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Reading: A Busy Day

Today is a busy day for Sarah. She wakes up at six o’clock in the morning and gets ready for work. She has an important meeting at two o’clock in the afternoon, so she spends the morning preparing. At exactly two o’clock, Sarah joins the meeting with her colleagues. The meeting lasts for two hours, and by four o’clock, she’s done. Afterward, she heads to a coffee shop to relax before going home at six o'clock.