He wanted to know what time it was.

Meaning: This sentence shows someone's curiosity about the current time. It's like asking, Can you tell me the current hour and minute?

Choice of Words: Wanted means to have a strong desire or wish for something. Know means to have information or understanding about something. What is a question word used to ask about something specific. Time refers to the moment or period when something happens.

Alternative Expressions

He needed to know what the time was.

Meaning: This means that he had to find out the specific point in the day. It's like saying, It was important for him to find out the exact moment.

Choice of Words: Needed is a verb that means something is required or necessary. Know is a verb that means to have knowledge or understanding of something. Time refers to the specific point in the day or the duration of an event. Was is a past tense verb that indicates the action happened in the past.

He inquired about the current hour.

Meaning: This means that he wanted to know the exact moment in the day. It's like saying, He politely asked for the time.

Choice of Words: Inquired is a formal verb that means to ask for information. Current means happening now or at the present time. Hour is a unit of time equal to 60 minutes. When you put them together, "Inquired about the current hour" means to ask for the time now.

He was curious to discover the prevailing timepiece.

Meaning: This means that he had a strong desire to know the exact moment in the day. It's like saying, He was eager to find out the time.

Choice of Words: Curious means having a strong desire to know or learn something. Discover means to find or learn something new. Prevailing means currently existing or being used. Timepiece is a device that measures time, such as a clock or watch. When you put them together, "Curious to discover the prevailing timepiece" means that he wanted to find out what the current time was.

Related Expressions