British English: Do you have the time?

[NinjaTurtle]

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?

 

[Shelley]

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.

[DavyJonesLocker]

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

 

 

 

[NinjaTurtle]

Thanks Shelley and Davy

[Jim]

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.

[Shelley]

1 minute ago, Jim said:

"Got the time there, mate?

 

Sounds Australian to me, mate

[Jim]

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

[Shelley]

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.

[DavyJonesLocker]

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 ?

[Jim]

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. 

[Shelley]

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.

[Jim]

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.

[mungouk]

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... 

 

[NinjaTurtle]

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.

[Shelley]

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.

[ChTTay]

Definitely hear D in Yorkshire but without “have you”. 

 

C only on TV  

[NinjaTurtle]

1 hour ago, ChTTay said:

C only on TV

 

Really? Fascinating.

[Flickserve]

g) what time do you make it?

[mungouk]

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.

 

 

[ChTTay]

Maybe round your parts