[General] Formal Time Format

[marinersk]

Greetings,

The Question I Asked: What is the proper format for denoting time in formal writing?
The Question I Should Have Asked: How does one write out the time for half past the hour?

{Other drivel deleted}

The Answers:

_The Elements of Style_, by William Strunk, Jr. (1918 edition), indicates the formal date is not to be written out, but with numbers. One can easily deduce the same applies to time.

_Etiquette_, by Emily Post (1942 edition), indicates that they should be written out, however, on a non-wedding RSVP. It also gives an example as "at half after four o'clock".

Many thanks,
Steven K. Mariner

[David L.]

Why the reluctance to use Arabic numerals? This is a dinner invitation, not a legal contract.

Steve Mariner
accepts with pleasure
George Burns'
kind invitation for dinner
on Thursday 18th December
at 4.30 p.m.

PS. Must be a swanky do, this dinner, sending out invites so early! (General note: colloquial speech - contains bad grammar for casual effect.)

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by marinersk

Greetings,

What is the proper format for denoting time in formal writing?

Specifically, I have the proper format for a non-wedding RSVP acceptance as:

Steve Mariner
accepts with pleasure
George Burns's
kind invitation for dinner
on Thursday 18th December
at 5.00 p.m.

But what if the time of the event is 4:30pm? Some thoughts:

Half-past four o'clock
Half Five o'clock
Thirty minutes past four o'clock
Four-Thirty

4.30 p.m.

But after a few hours searching online (due to a dearth of printed materials at my disposal in my circumstances) I have been unable to find a reference anywhere for the proper format for the time in formal writing for anything other than a top-of-the-hour time.

So I thought I'd ask the experts.

Can you help?

Many thanks,
Steven K. Mariner

It really is not necessary to spell these out.

[David L.]

Ahhh.

The tenor of your posts is certainly enlightening. Whilst we could bandy authorities on the issue of the apostrophe versus 's issue........

....I can well understand your compulsion for exactitude in this matter of your written reply. And certainly, reach out for assistance.

A word of comment: those at a swank 'do' are there for more reason than having the information you require from this forum flowing in their veins. The import of your posts indicates that, when it comes to 'class', you're going to be out of your depth at this dinner. Aspire, yes.......but that air of superiority will have you crash and burn, as assuredly as the Luftwaffe met the RAF. There's dinner table conversation!

[David L.]

While the circumstances surrounding my request for this information are certainly inviting targets for fun, and possibly even ridicule, the request for information is earnest and genuine.

Then respond in kind to 'earnest and genuine' attempts to help.

A word of comment: long-winded explanations with are no camouflage.
Frankly my dear, if I were at that dinner table with a couple of drinks under my belt, and a wink from someone else who saw through you, I would thoroughly enjoyed making mincemeat of you.......

So politely, so politely, so po-lite-ly.
(G&S, Princess Ida)

[David L.]

There's 'class' in the sense of style, elegance, sophistication, taste, refinement, quality, excellence, and a person being "Out of one's class."

There's 'out-classed' in the sense of 'not being a match for', as in two warships in confrontation.

So no shortcut for me, and off to the library with me tomorrow.

There's also discretion.

(Sorry about that folks, but God, some people...Rile me, and I'll rise to the level of anyone's attempt to lord it - (outcome of said sentiment yet unknown: most puffed up people are bluster, so my assertion is not really fully tested.)

[Anglika]

There is a danger of becoming overborne by "social rules". There is absolutely nothing that says you MUST spell out dates and times. It is totally unnecessary. I very much doubt if using numerals would be noticed by the person receiving the RSVP.

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by marinersk

Thank you!

So now we've answered the question of if it is needed; we still haven't answered the question of how it is done. By using numerals.

Anyone?

- Steve M.

...

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by marinersk

I agree.



Again, I agree.

I do appreciate the input.

- Steve M.

I don't see why someone can't just tell you it's "Half past Four" and be done with it.

[marinersk]

Originally Posted by Raymott

I don't see why someone can't just tell you it's "Half past Four" and be done with it.

That's okay. Everybody has their triggers; apparently I found David's.

But I have references now in case anyone does look up this thread in the future.

_The Elements of Style_, by William Strunk, Jr. (1918 edition), indicates the formal date is not to be written out, but with numbers. One can easily deduce the same applies to time.

_Etiquette_, by Emily Post (1942 edition), indicates that they should be written out, however, on a non-wedding RSVP. It also gives an example as "at half after four o'clock".

So there you have it.

- Steve M.