How to Talk About Time in English: Common Phrases & Tips

Mastering the Clock: How to Talk About Time in English

Time is everywhere — on our watches, in our plans, and in our conversations. But do you know how to express time correctly in English? Whether you're arranging a meeting, talking about your daily routine, or recalling past events, using the right time expressions and prepositions is key to fluency. Let’s explore the essential tips and common phrases for talking about time like a native speaker.

1. Time Prepositions: At, On, In

• At is used for specific times: at 3 PM, at noon, at midnight
• On is used for days and specific dates: on Monday, on July 4th, on my birthday
• In is used for months, years, centuries, and parts of the day: in March, in 1998, in the morning

2. Talking About the Past, Present, and Future

Here are some useful phrases to place actions in time:

• Past: yesterday, last week, a few days ago, earlier today
• Present: now, at the moment, these days, currently
• Future: tomorrow, next month, in a few minutes, soon

👉 You can explore more time-related vocabulary in our previous post: Vocabulary You Need for Making Plans

3. Expressions with Time

English has many idiomatic expressions with the word time. Here are a few:

• Kill time – do something to pass the time while waiting
• Run out of time – not have enough time left
• Time flies – time goes quickly
• Right on time – not early or late

For even more expressions, check out our article: 10 English Idioms That Make You Sound Smarter

4. Practice Time-Related Questions

Practice asking and answering time-related questions:

• What time is it? – It’s half past two.
• When is your birthday? – On August 17th.
• How long does it take? – About 20 minutes.
• What time do you usually wake up? – At 6:30 AM.

Final Thoughts

Time is one of the most common topics in everyday English. By mastering time prepositions, common phrases, and useful expressions, you can speak more naturally and clearly. Don’t be afraid to ask for the time, make plans, or talk about your schedule — now you’ve got the tools to do it right!

⏰ Take time to practice today — and remember: it’s always the right time to improve your English!

What time-related phrase do you use the most? Share it in the comments!