Time in dialogue

[mkcbunny]

Sorry if this has been addressed recently. I've searched the various threads, and I can't seem to find the subject.

If a character names a specific time, in this case "10:30 a.m." How would that be written? Since characters can't speak numerals, would it be "ten thirty a.m."? They don't speak punctuation, either, so I'm also wondering about the "a.m." part. Or is time an exception?

Please advise. Thanks.

Can you tell what I'm doing? Final edits on the almost-finished(!) novel. I'm down to these details, details, details.

[scarletpeaches]

Why not just have them say, "Half ten?"

[Don]

Why not just have them say, "Half ten?"
That's British, I presume. I've always heard it as 'half past ten.'

[scarletpeaches]

Half past ten's more formal, but 'half ten' would be between friends, or slightly more casual.

[ChaosTitan]

Saying either seems formal to me.

"See you at six-thirty." That's how I'd write it. Usually the time of day is implied.

[mkcbunny]

The character is reading a party invitation, several days in advance. So I think it has to be stated whether the shindig is morning or night, as a morning gathering is very different from a nighttime party.

I can probably get away have the character say that it's at ten-thirty in the morning, instead of reading the "a.m." part.

Thx

[mkcbunny]

But here's another similar problem. Character says "Call 9-1-1," as in a call for help. Would you say:

Call 9-1-1
Call 911
Call nine one one
Call nine-one-one

Spelling that out looks strange to me. Either one of the first two seems better in this case. It's a telephone number. And I forgot the rule about those, having never needed to put one in dialogue.

Advice?

[FennelGiraffe]

In dialog, it's all about character voice. Not everyone says phone numbers or money or time of day the same way. If you don't write out the words, you're missing an opportunity to show your character's voice.

Granted, 911 doesn't offer much scope, but a few people say "nine eleven" instead of "nine one one". It's rare--I heard it more often years ago than I do now--but I have heard it.

[blacbird]

Why not just have them say, "Half ten?"

Way British. It took me months to figure it out after I moved there. For Americans, "half ten" is five. Except for the math-challenged, for whom it's "about five".

caw

[Duncan J Macdonald]

The character is reading a party invitation, several days in advance. So I think it has to be stated whether the shindig is morning or night, as a morning gathering is very different from a nighttime party.

I can probably get away have the character say that it's at ten-thirty in the morning, instead of reading the "a.m." part.

Thx
If it's an extremely formal invitation, it could be "At Ten-Thirty of the clock, Ante Meridian"

[adtabb]

Why not just have them say, "Half ten?"

Would that be half an hour before, or half an hour after ten? Too confusing,

[scarletpeaches]

Not for me it isn't.

You wouldn't say half to ten, would you? So it's obviously half past ten.

If it was half an hour before ten, you'd say half nine.

[scarletpeaches]

But here's another similar problem. Character says "Call 9-1-1," as in a call for help. Would you say:

Call 9-1-1
Call 911
Call nine one one
Call nine-one-one

Spelling that out looks strange to me. Either one of the first two seems better in this case. It's a telephone number. And I forgot the rule about those, having never needed to put one in dialogue.

Advice?

"Call for an ambulance!"

Problem solved.

[Bufty]

. :)

"Call for an ambulance!"

Problem solved [quicker ;)].

[Palmfrond]

The Chicago Manual of Style is your friend.

[adtabb]

Not for me it isn't.

You wouldn't say half to ten, would you? So it's obviously half past ten.

If it was half an hour before ten, you'd say half nine.

Maybe where you live. Here, it's used either way. Though it's normally, "quarter of", or "quarter ten."

[Lauren McAllister]

I would think if a character is reading something that is written, you could get away with the character "saying" it as they see it.

So, 10:30 a.m.

[Ugawa]

Reading some of these posts made me laugh :D.

I'm british, so hearing 'half ten' isn't anything strange. I found it funny how some American's can't understand it... but then again i don't understand some American things; like baseball, it's called rounders here - few different rules i think.

Sorry, i'm rambling now.

Anyway, to the question at hand. Just have the person say whatever would seem more natural for him/her. I believe i remember seeing A.M in dialogue once.

XX

[scarletpeaches]

Just for God's sake don't say anything like "Ten a.m. in the morning." :rolleyes:

[Ollie Saunders]

Funny thread.

It's OK Ugawa I don't understand baseball either. Then again I don't understand girls and that's a whole lot more annoying.

I've gotta say I'm with FennelGiraffe (once again). Spell things out in quotes. "10:30 a.m." should be "ten-thirty a.m."

"Call for an ambulance!"

Problem solved.Ever the pragmatist.

[blacbird]

Just for God's sake don't say anything like "Ten a.m. in the morning." :rolleyes:

Ten a.m. in the morning, before noon.

caw

[Cassiopeia]

Just for God's sake don't say anything like "Ten a.m. in the morning." :rolleyes:Why not? That's how some people speak. It might be crazy but some people just do. So if your character is one of those kind of people isn't the point to be true to the character?

Know your target market people and know your character.