The time was 9:38.
( ( The time ) ( ( was 9:38 ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN time)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (CD 9:38))) (. .)))
The time was after noon.
( ( The time ) ( ( was ( after noon ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN time)) (VP (VBD was) (PP (IN after) (NP (NN noon)))) (. .)))