Day 12 – Asking About Time – English Conversation Practice for Beginners

Day 12 – Asking About Time – English Conversation Practice for Beginners

Welcome to Day 12 of your 30-Day English Conversation Challenge! Today you will practice one of the simplest yet most socially important conversation skills in English — asking about and telling the time. Whether you are running late for class, waiting for a bus, or just need a quick time-check from a stranger on the street, knowing how to ask, respond to, and continue a conversation around time is something every English learner needs to master early.

In this free conversation, student Maya is rushing to class and asks a friendly office worker named Arjun for the time. What begins as a simple one-question interaction naturally grows into a warm exchange between two strangers. You will practice how to politely stop a stranger and ask for the time using "Excuse me, can you please tell me the time?", respond to the time with natural follow-up reactions — "Oh, I thought I was late!", reassure someone with time remaining — "You still have fifteen minutes, you're safe!", ask about and discuss habits — "Do you always carry a watch?", give directions advice — "If you walk fast, you can make it!", and close a casual street conversation warmly. Every exchange models the kind of polite, friendly interaction that happens every day between strangers in English-speaking environments.

This conversation is perfect for anyone who wants to practice asking strangers questions politely and naturally in English, learners who need to master time-related vocabulary and urgency phrases, and Day 12 participants who want to continue building their daily English confidence one real-life situation at a time. No partner needed — pick Maya or Arjun and practice until every exchange feels automatic!

Conversation Script

Maya
Excuse me, can you please tell me the time?
Arjun
Sure, it’s 9:15 right now
Maya
Oh, thank you! I thought I was late for class.
Arjun
No worries, you still have time. What time does your class start?
Maya
My class starts at 9:30. I was a little worried.
Arjun
You’re safe then. It’s just around fifteen minutes left.
Maya
That’s a relief! By the way, do you always carry a watch?
Arjun
Yes, I like wearing a watch. It’s easier than checking my phone.
Maya
That’s smart. I always forget to charge my phone.
Arjun
Haha, yes, phones run out of battery quickly.
Maya
Do you think I can reach my college in 10 minutes?
Arjun
If you walk fast, yes. It’s not very far from here.
Maya
Great! Thank you for telling me the time.
Arjun
Anytime! People often ask me the time on the street.
Maya
That’s nice. You must be very kind.
Arjun
I just think helping others makes the day better.
Maya
True. You made my morning less stressful.
Arjun
Glad to help! Have a good class.
Maya
Thanks, Arjun! Have a wonderful day at work.
Arjun
You too, Maya. Take care.

Most common english phrases Used in conversation with examples

1) What time is it? — Asking the current time.
Example 1: What time is it now? I need to leave soon.
Example 2: Excuse me, what time is it?

2) Do you know the time? — Another way to ask for the time.
Example 1: Do you know the time? My phone is dead.
Example 2: I asked a man, “Do you know the time?”

3) It’s 7:15 right now. — Telling the exact time.
Example 1: It’s 7:15 right now, so we should hurry.
Example 2: She checked the clock and said, “It’s 7:15 right now.”

4) When does your bus leave? — Asking about schedule.
Example 1: When does your bus leave for the city?
Example 2: He asked me when my bus leaves.

5) You still have 15 minutes. — Reassuring about enough time.
Example 1: Don’t rush. You still have 15 minutes.
Example 2: The teacher said we still have 15 minutes.

6) Don’t worry. — Telling someone to relax.
Example 1: Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.
Example 2: Don’t worry about the test. You did well.

7) If you hurry up, you will reach on time. — Suggestion to move quickly.
Example 1: If you hurry up, you will reach on time for the train.
Example 2: Run fast! If you hurry up, you will reach on time.

8) I always wear a watch. — Talking about habit.
Example 1: I always wear a watch to check the time.
Example 2: He says he always wears a watch to stay on schedule.

9) It looks nice as an accessory. — Complimenting on style.
Example 1: Your watch looks nice as an accessory.
Example 2: The bracelet looks nice as an accessory with your dress.

10) Have a safe journey. — Wishing someone well before traveling.
Example 1: You are traveling tonight? Have a safe journey.
Example 2: Everyone said, “Have a safe journey!” before she left.

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Daily Use English Speaking Sentences with Examples

Base SentenceAlternative ExpressionReal-Life Example Sentence
Excuse meSorry to bother youSorry to bother you, can you help me?
Pardon mePardon me, is this seat taken?
May I speak to you?May I speak to you for a minute?
Excuse me, pleaseExcuse me, please, where is the washroom?
May I pass?May I pass through this line?
Could I get your attention?Could I get your attention for a moment?
You still have timeThere is still timeThere is still time to finish the work.
You are not late yetYou are not late yet for the interview.
You have enough timeYou have enough time to prepare.
It’s not too lateIt’s not too late to apply now.
No need to hurry yetNo need to hurry yet, the train leaves at 6.
You can still make itYou can still make it if you leave now.
There’s time leftThere’s time left before the shop closes.
It’s not farIt’s nearbyThe bus stop is nearby.
It’s closeThe hospital is close to my house.
It’s just around the cornerThe cafe is just around the corner.
It’s a short distanceThe school is a short distance from here.
It won’t take long to reachIt won’t take long to reach the mall.
It’s within walking distanceThe park is within walking distance.
It’s not very far awayThe temple is not very far away.

 

Frequently Asked Questions – Day 12: Asking About Time in English

Q1. How do you politely ask a stranger for the time in English?

The most natural, universally used phrase is: "Excuse me, do you have the time?" or "Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?" The word "Excuse me" is essential — it is the standard polite way to interrupt a stranger in any English-speaking country. Other natural variations: "Sorry to bother you — do you know the time?" or "Hey, quick question — what time is it?" After the person answers, always say "Thank you!" or "Thanks so much!" — closing the interaction graciously is as important as opening it politely.

Q2. How do you tell someone the time naturally in English?

The standard way: "It's [time]." For example: "It's 9:15" or "It's quarter past nine." You can add helpful context: "It's 9:15 right now, so you still have about fifteen minutes." Common time expressions: "It's half past ten" (10:30), "It's quarter to three" (2:45), "It's just after seven" (slightly past 7:00), "It's almost noon" (nearly 12:00). In casual conversation, people often say "It's about 9" or "It's just gone 9" when they are estimating slightly. Knowing both exact and approximate time expressions makes your English sound genuinely natural and fluent.

Q3. What do you say if you are running late in English?

Express urgency naturally: "I'm running late!" or "I'm going to be late if I don't hurry." If explaining to someone: "Sorry I'm late — the traffic was terrible." or "My bus was delayed — I got here as fast as I could." Asking for reassurance: "Am I very late?" or "Is there still time?" Receiving reassurance: "Don't worry — you're still okay" or "You've got about ten minutes — you can make it if you walk fast." These phrases cover the complete language of lateness and urgency in English and are used daily in schools, workplaces, and social settings everywhere.

Q4. How do you talk about watches and phones for telling the time in English?

In natural conversation: "I prefer wearing a watch — it's faster than checking my phone." or "My phone battery died, so I had to ask someone for the time." "I always wear a watch so I'm never caught without the time." "These days most people just check their phone for the time." "A watch is easier and quicker — one look and you know." Discussing preferences around watches and phones is a natural extension of any time conversation and helps you practice expressing preferences and habits in English in a casual, authentic way.

Q5. How do you give walking directions and estimate travel time in English?

For short distances, say naturally: "If you walk fast, you'll get there in about ten minutes." "It's not very far from here — just a few minutes on foot." "Take a left at the corner and you'll see it." "It's within walking distance — maybe five or ten minutes." "You can make it if you hurry — it's closer than it looks!" When giving time estimates, use hedging language like "about," "roughly," and "maybe" to sound natural: "It's about a ten-minute walk" is far more natural in English than "It is exactly ten minutes."

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