Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

weineasim · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Dear all:

I'm just new in here. Mind if i raise a question right here? Even an English teacher as I am in junior high, I do not have the correct answer key to the question below:

It's time "for the movie."

My question is, what is to be the most proper question to the statement here mentioned above?

Here are some probable keys.

1) What's the time for?

2) What's the time?

3) What time is it?

4) What time is it for?

Wondering how native speakers in English may choose.
Much appreciated with a quick response. Shocked

_________________
James Peng

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Do you mean, "What's it time for?" This is the question I would use to elicit the response, "the movie." I don't see any other way to do it, although it seems to be a somewhat informal construction. If you ask, "What time is it?" you are more likely to get an answer like, "8:30." The only question I would have is under what circumstances would you ask this question? I can only think of something that has a schedule, for example a class, in which the same order of activities is always followed. Then it is conceivable that the teacher could ask the class, "What's it time for?" and if they chorused, "The movie!" they would be right.

weineasim · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Dear Lorikeet,

Many thanks for your suggestion "What's if time for?" Very good advice. For real! BTW, have you been teaching ESL to non-native speakers in the US? Jush check some of your website infos, seems that English learning is really your field, right?

So pleased to know you on-line, anyhow. Hope to get to know you more by sharing with you more girdlocks when i get stuck. Pls be my help anytime. You're really considerate and helpful with every single words you just posted in here. Thank you.

Best,
_________________
James Peng

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Thank you for your thank you, James Wink

I teach ESL to adults in San Francisco, and have for almost 37 years. Feel free to contact me here or by email, as listed on my website.

advoca · Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 422 Location: Beijing

Lorikeet

What is your web address? I an sure it is interesting.