QuesHub > 8 > quarter > 8 > ASK DETAIL

What is quarter to 8?

Naomi Smith | 2023-06-08 20:59:57 | page views:1380
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20 Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more

Emma Parker

Studied at Columbia University, Lives in New York City. Currently working as a marketing manager for a fashion brand.
As an expert in the field of time and its various expressions, I'd like to clarify the phrase "quarter to 8" and its correct interpretation in the context of telling time. Time expressions can vary by region and language, but there are some universal rules that can help us understand and communicate the time accurately.

When we talk about "quarter to 8," we are referring to the time that is 15 minutes before 8 o'clock. The term "quarter" in this context means one-fourth, and since there are 60 minutes in an hour, one-fourth of an hour is 15 minutes. Therefore, "quarter to 8" translates to 7:45.

Let's break down the different ways time can be expressed in English:


1. Exact Times: When the minute hand points directly at 12, and the hour hand is on a specific number, we say the exact hour. For example, 8:00 is read as "eight o'clock."


2. Minutes Past the Hour: When the minute hand is past 12, we say "X minutes past the hour." For example, if the hour hand is on 8 and the minute hand is on 3, it's 8:03, which is read as "three minutes past eight."


3. Quarter Past/To the Hour: If the minute hand is on 3, it's 15 minutes past the hour, and we can say "a quarter past eight." Conversely, if we are looking at the time before the hour, and the minute hand is on 9, it's 15 minutes before the next hour, and we say "quarter to nine."


4. Half Past the Hour: When the minute hand is on 6, it's half an hour past the hour. For example, 8:30 is read as "half past eight."


5. Minutes to the Hour: When the minute hand is on 9, indicating 15 minutes before the next hour, we say "X minutes to the hour." For example, 7:45 is read as "a quarter to eight" or "15 minutes to eight."

Now, let's address the reference content provided:

- "Forty-five past eight." This is incorrect in the context of "quarter to 8," as it suggests the time is 8:45, which is 45 minutes past 8 o'clock, not 15 minutes before.

- "8:45." As mentioned, this is 45 minutes past the hour, not "quarter to 8."

- "A quarter past eight." This is correct for the time 8:15, not "quarter to 8."

- "A quarter after eight." This is not a standard expression in English. The correct way to express 15 minutes past the hour is "a quarter past eight."

In conclusion, "quarter to 8" means 7:45, which is 15 minutes before 8 o'clock. It's important to use the correct terms when expressing time to avoid confusion.


2024-05-14 17:50:30

Harper Adams

Studied at the University of Amsterdam, Lives in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Forty-five past eight. 8:45. A quarter past eight. 8:15. A quarter after eight.
2023-06-16 20:59:57

Charlotte Williams

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Forty-five past eight. 8:45. A quarter past eight. 8:15. A quarter after eight.
ask:3,asku:1,askr:137,askz:21,askd:152,RedisW:0askR:3,askD:0 mz:hit,askU:0,askT:0askA:4