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Fri 19 May, 2006 12:51 am
The following sentence is from a book on English Vocabulary. Could you tell me what "What time d'you make it" means; is there anything wrong with it? Thanks.
The kitchen clock's slow/fast/stopped. What time d'you make it?
It means "What time is it?"
The person is asking the time, in an informal way. "d'you" is a contraction of "do you".
This type of language would be used when addressing a friend or acquaintance. When asking a stranger, one would say "Excuse me, could you tell me the time, please", or "could you tell me what time it is", "what is the time".
These examples are just some of the ways that this request is made in everyday language.
"Excuse me" is optional, "please" is bordering on compulsory. It would appear quite rude if the word "please" was not included.
A proper, formal way of asking would be "Excuse me, would you tell me the time, please", but this is rarely heard.
You're welcome.
You're = You are.