Telling Time Using the 12-Hour System
The 12-hour system is a way of telling time that divides the day into two periods of 12 hours
each. The first period is called A.M. (Ante Meridiem), which means before noon, and the second
period is called P.M. (Post Meridiem), which means after noon.
When reading a clock:
The short hand shows the hour.
The long hand shows the minutes.
Examples:
7:00 A.M. – Seven o’clock in the morning.
12:00 P.M. – Twelve o’clock noon.
3:15 P.M. – Quarter past three in the afternoon.
6:30 P.M. – Half past six in the evening.
8:45 P.M. – Quarter to nine at night.
Special time expressions:
O'clock = exact hour (e.g., 4:00 = four o'clock)
Quarter past = 15 minutes after the hour (e.g., 2:15)
Half past = 30 minutes after the hour (e.g., 5:30)
Quarter to = 15 minutes before the next hour (e.g., 7:45)
The 12-hour system is commonly used in daily life to tell and understand time during the morning,
afternoon, evening, and night.
Course Features
- Lecture 1
- Quiz 1
- Duration 10 weeks
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 0
- Certificate Yes
- Assessments Self
- 1 Section
- 1 Lesson
- 10 Weeks
- Telling Time (24 hour System)2
