NinjaTurtle Posted November 20, 2018 at 02:39 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 02:39 PM In British English, which of these are commonly used? (a) What time is it? (b) What's the time? (c) Do you have the time? (d) Have you got the time? (e) Could you tell me the time? (f) Could you tell me what time it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted November 20, 2018 at 02:51 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 02:51 PM I hear all of them except for D unless its a prefix as in "Have you got the time to go shopping?" I would also say that F sounds a bit clumsy but is still used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyJonesLocker Posted November 20, 2018 at 03:19 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 03:19 PM Agree with Shelly, perhaps (a) and (b) seems most common to me but more if the relationship is closer. Would be a bit abrupt to say it on the street, at a bus stop etc to a stranger, (e) would be better I'd say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaTurtle Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:01 PM Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:01 PM Thanks Shelley and Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:46 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:46 PM Definitely hear people say, "Got the time there, mate?" same way as they might ask you for a light etc. Same construction but dropping the 'have' I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:49 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:49 PM 1 minute ago, Jim said: "Got the time there, mate? Sounds Australian to me, mate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:50 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:50 PM Just now, Shelley said: Sounds Australian to me, mate Well, if you want our Gloucestershire version you could change that to "bud" but then you'll accuse me of being American 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:54 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 04:54 PM I think its the "there" that makes it sound Australian, "Got the time ,mate" and I would not be surprised if they came from London or anywhere in England to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyJonesLocker Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:00 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:00 PM 12 minutes ago, Jim said: Definitely hear people say, "Got the time there, mate?" same way as they might ask you for a light etc. Same construction but dropping the 'have' I think. Or if you hear "Got the time bruv" you know your in East London ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:03 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:03 PM 7 minutes ago, Shelley said: I think its the "there" that makes it sound Australian, "Got the time ,mate" and I would not be surprised if they came from London or anywhere in England to be honest. When we used to ham up our accents even more for the comedy effect we'd say "Got a light there, boy?" which is the sort of thing older folks round our way said. maybe more localised than I realised then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:10 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:10 PM I recognise that 4 minutes ago, Jim said: "Got a light there, boy? I have heard that, Birmingham way, and Devonish. My partner says it in jest, exaggerated, when having fun with his friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:13 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:13 PM My sense is adding the extra words softens the request a bit and makes it less like you're demanding something off someone but not really much more than a feeling to back that up. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungouk Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:27 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 05:27 PM Since everyone has a phone with the time on it these days, you will hardly ever hear this any more. Otherwise c-f are likely if you're being polite. @NinjaTurtle is there a specific context you're asking about? Context always helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaTurtle Posted November 20, 2018 at 06:45 PM Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 06:45 PM 1 hour ago, mungouk said: ...is there a specific context you're asking about? No, this is just for English class. I learned a long time ago that when I think something is wrong, oftentimes it is just an example of British English that I am not familiar with. These examples are good examples of that, and have proved me wrong once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted November 20, 2018 at 10:06 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 10:06 PM What about "What time is it? is particularly not American. Why wouldn't an American say this. As I have said before I have lived in Montreal, Canada, Scotland, USA, I have heard this in all the places I have lived I wouldn't be surprised to hear any of your examples being used in any of the 4 countries I have had lived in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChTTay Posted November 20, 2018 at 10:28 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 10:28 PM Definitely hear D in Yorkshire but without “have you”. C only on TV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaTurtle Posted November 20, 2018 at 11:31 PM Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 at 11:31 PM 1 hour ago, ChTTay said: C only on TV Really? Fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flickserve Posted November 21, 2018 at 08:25 AM Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 at 08:25 AM g) what time do you make it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungouk Posted November 21, 2018 at 08:32 AM Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 at 08:32 AM 10 hours ago, ChTTay said: C only on TV Well it's old-fashioned but I think people do still say it, maybe the older generations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChTTay Posted November 21, 2018 at 09:59 AM Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 at 09:59 AM Maybe round your parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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