I have just a question since I know that people use the phrase: 1 or 2 or N hours ago approximately but I want to know how big the approximation usually is.
For me, I was using the phrase 1 hour ago meaning that let's say it is 8:40. It would not matter for me how many minutes it is whether it is 40,15 or 59 minutes. For me, only thing that would be important is 8th hour. So if I wanted to say that I came to this shop at 7:00 or 7:15 or 7:30 whatever and current time is 8:40, I would still say: I came to the shop an hour ago by which I mean that I came there any minute of previous hour. So I would mean by that anytime between 7:00 until 7:59.
Is this the correct understanding and approximation that is most commonly used? Because I do not know anyone who would in casual speach use exactly 60 minutes ago when saying an hour ago. Same with days, when I say 2 days ago, I do not mean 48hours ago, but instead before two calendar days.
So my question is. Is it used the same way with hours? If no, then how is it used?
I give you two examples.
- I came to the shop at 4:50 now it is 6:15
What would you say? I came to the shop 1 hour ago OR 2 hours ago ?
- You purchased something at 5:00 now it is 6:40.
Would you say: I purchased it 1 OR 2 hours ago? (in my opinion 1 hour and 40 minutes ago is too long + a bit weird to me to say it like that.)
Thanks for help!