A1 — Time & Dates: Theory
Level A1
Time & calendar
Everyday routines
Goal
Say the time, talk about days and dates, and ask simple questions like What time…? and When…?.
Telling the time (basic)
- o’clock = full hour: It’s three o’clock.
- half past = 30 minutes after the hour: It’s half past six. (6:30)
- quarter past = 15 minutes after: It’s quarter past nine. (9:15)
- quarter to = 15 minutes before: It’s quarter to ten. (9:45)
- Use at for clock times: at 7 o’clock, at half past three.
Days of the week
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- Use on with days: on Monday, on Friday evening.
- weekend = Saturday and Sunday (for many people).
Talking about today, yesterday, tomorrow
- today = this day: I’m busy today.
- yesterday = the day before today: I was tired yesterday.
- tomorrow = the day after today: See you tomorrow.
- Useful chunks: this morning, this afternoon, tonight.
Dates & birthdays
- date = day + month + year: the 5th of May, May 5th.
- birthday = the date you were born.
- Questions: What’s the date today?, When is your birthday?
- Answers: It’s April 2nd., My birthday is on July 10th.
Questions with time & days
- What time is it? — It’s six o’clock.
- What time do you start work? — I start work at 9.
- When do you have English class? — On Wednesday.
- Combine time + day: I have a meeting on Friday at 3.
Vocabulary — 30 time & date words & phrases
1. time
What time is it?
2. o’clock
It’s seven o’clock.
3. half past
It’s half past three. (3:30)
4. quarter past
It’s quarter past nine. (9:15)
5. quarter to
It’s quarter to ten. (9:45)
6. Monday
I start work on Monday.
7. Tuesday
We have class on Tuesday.
8. Wednesday
I go to the gym on Wednesday.
9. Thursday
The meeting is on Thursday.
10. Friday
We eat out on Friday.
11. Saturday
I relax on Saturday.
12. Sunday
We visit family on Sunday.
13. weekend
I work during the week, not at the weekend.
14. today
I’m busy today.
15. yesterday
I was tired yesterday.
16. tomorrow
See you tomorrow.
17. this morning
I had a meeting this morning.
18. this afternoon
I’m free this afternoon.
19. tonight
Let’s watch a film tonight.
20. day
Monday is a busy day.
21. week
I work five days a week.
22. month
There are 12 months in a year.
23. year
This year is very busy.
24. date
What’s the date today?
25. birthday
My birthday is in July.
26. holiday
We go on holiday in August.
27. early
I get up early on Monday.
28. late
I go to bed late on Friday.
29. on Monday morning
I have a class on Monday morning.
30. at seven (o’clock)
The lesson starts at seven.
Tip: say on + day (on Tuesday) and at + time (at 6 o’clock).
Booster — 20 extra calendar & season words
1. January
It’s cold in January.
2. February
February is a short month.
3. March
Spring starts in March.
4. April
My birthday is in April.
5. May
We have a holiday in May.
6. June
School finishes in June.
7. July
It’s hot in July.
8. August
We travel in August.
9. September
School starts in September.
10. October
It’s cool in October.
11. November
It rains in November.
12. December
We have holidays in December.
13. spring
Spring is warm.
14. summer
Summer is hot.
15. autumn (fall)
Autumn is cool and windy.
16. winter
Winter is cold.
17. on weekdays
I work on weekdays.
18. at the weekend
I relax at the weekend.
19. on 3 May
The party is on 3 May.
20. What time is it?
A: What time is it? B: It’s ten o’clock.
Use in + month / season (in July, in winter) and on + date (on 3 May).
Mini-dialogues
- A: What time is it? — B: It’s half past eight.
- A: When is your English class? — B: On Tuesday and Thursday at 7.
- A: When is your birthday? — B: It’s on 10 July.
Conversation pattern
- A: What time do you usually get up?
- B: I get up at 7. I start work at 9 and finish at 5.
- A: What do you do at the weekend? — B: I relax and meet friends on Saturday and Sunday.
Combine time + day + routine: I start work at 9 on Monday, We have class on Wednesday evening at 6.