ESL. Talking About Time Change

The fall is here - that’s how we refer to autumn in the U.S. November is just a week away, and with it comes the end to the Daylight Saving Time. NOTE: saving, not savingS, like in “labor-saving device” or “mind-expanding book”.



Every spring, on the last Sunday in March we move our clocks one hour ahead - spring forward - and "lose" an hour. Then each fall, on the first Sunday in November we move our clocks back one hour - fall back - and "gain" an extra hour. Do you need a reminder, which direction to shift the clock? Use this mnemonic /nɨˈmɒnɨk/ device or memory aid: we spring forward in the spring, and we fall back in the fall.

Since the time change occurs at 2 a.m., I am certainly not the one to get up at two in the morning to reset my clock. I’ll do that the night before, as I am getting ready to go to bed. This way, I’ll wake up on Sunday to the new time.

I can guarantee you that time change will come up in a conversation one way or another in the course of the next week. So how do we talk about it? Here are a few examples:

1. Do you remember that the time changes tomorrow? Don’t forget to set your clock back one hour.

2. Remember to change your clock tomorrow.

3. Remember to move your clocks back one hour.

4. I should remember to reset the clock back one hour.

By the way, instead of don’t forget (The unconscious mind does not recognize the negatives and will hear forget), it’s better to say remember.

And the good news is? …You can sleep in next Sunday without waking up too late.