What time is it?
A clock has two hands: a short hand and a long hand.
When the long hand points to the number 12, we say o'clock.
It is 9 o'clock.
When the long hand points to the number 6, we say half past.
It is half past 9. The short hand is half way between 9 and 10.
Now we’re going to have a look at what happens when the long hand points to the number 3 and to the number 9.
When the long hand points to the number 3, we say quarter past.
It is quarter past 9. It is past 9 o'clock so the short hand has just passed number 9.
When the long hand points to the number 9, we say quarter to.
It is quarter to 9. The short hand is nearly pointing to number 9 because it is getting close to 9 o'clock.
