English grammar
It's half past, five to, ten past
Ask and tell the time.
From the scene What time is it?
In short
Ask What time is it? Answer It's + the time: past for after the hour, to for before it.
- 3:00 It's three o'clock.
- 2:30 It's half past two.
- 2:55 It's five to three.
- 3:10 It's ten past three.
Your turn
Which one goes with 2:30?
Options: It's half past two. · It's three o'clock. · It's five to three.
Show answer
2:30 → It's half past two.
How it works
Ask What time is it? Answer with It's + the time. Minutes after the hour: past (ten past three).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Excuse me again. What time (blank) it now?
Options: are · is
Show answer
Excuse me again. What time is it now?
Perdona otra vez. ¿Qué hora es ahora?
Good to know
Minutes before the hour: to (five to three). Thirty minutes: half past. For the time something happens, use at: at three.
3:00 It's three o'clock.
2:30 It's half past two.
Tomás
It's half past two.
Son las dos y media.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: It's five to three · It's half past two · It's three o'clock
Show answer
Tomás
It's half past two.
Son las dos y media.
2:55 It's five to three.
Tomás
It's five to three.
Son las tres menos cinco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: It's five to three · It's three o'clock · It's half past two
Show answer
Tomás
It's five to three.
Son las tres menos cinco.
3:10 It's ten past three.
Tomás
It's ten past three.
Son las tres y diez.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: It's ten past three · It's three o'clock · It's half past two
Show answer
Tomás
It's ten past three.
Son las tres y diez.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| 3:00 | It's three o'clock. |
|---|---|
| 2:30 | It's half past two. |
| 2:55 | It's five to three. |
| 3:10 | It's ten past three. |
More lines from the story
- NuriaMy train leaves at three.Mi tren sale a las tres.
- NuriaExcuse me again. What time is it now?Perdona otra vez. ¿Qué hora es ahora?
- TomásWell... my watch is a bit slow.Bueno... mi reloj va un poco lento.