Talking about the time (A1-A2)
Do we use a.m., p.m. and o'clock with the 12-hour clock or the 24-hour clock?
The 24-hour clock
We write information for schedules and timetables using the 24 hour clock (0000 - 2359), like this example from an afternoon conference:
14:00 - Registration & Coffee
14:15 - Welcome
14:30 - Seminar A
16:00 - Break
16:15 - Seminar B
17:45 - Close
The 12-hour clock
When we're speaking, we normally use the numbers 1-12 to talk about the time. There are different options:
| Registration starts at | 2 (in the afternoon) |
| 2 o'clock (in the afternoon) | |
| 2 p.m. |
Don't use the 24 hour clock when you're talking about times:
Dan:
Steve, what time does that conference start?
Steve:
Well, we need to be there at fourteen at two for Registration.
a.m & p.m.
12.00 a.m. is midnight.
We use a.m. with 12.00, 1.00, 2.00, etc. until 11.59 a.m, which is one minute before midday.
12.00 p.m. is midday.
We use p.m. with 12.00, 1.00, 2.00, etc. until 11.59 p.m, which is one minute before midnight.
We cannot use a.m. / p.m. with midnight or midday.
I went to bed at midnight a.m. last night.
I went to bed at midnight last night. I have a doctor's appointment at midday p.m .
I have a doctor's appointment at midday.
We also cannot use a.m. / p.m. with o'clock.
There's a break at 4 o'clock p.m.
There's a break at 4 o'clock.
There's a break at 4 p.m.
in the afternoon
When we're talking about a conference, it's clear that the time 4.00 means the afternoon. Not many business conferences have a break at four in the morning!
That's why we don't have to say 4.00 p.m. or 4.00 in the afternoon.
4 or 4 o'clock is enough here.
If you want to make it clear that you're talking about the afternoon, use in the afternoon OR p.m. Don't use both together because in the afternoon already means p.m.
There's a break at 4 p.m. in the afternoon.
There's a break at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Interested in learning more?
Look again at the schedule below. There is ONE word missing in the gaps and you need a different word for each gap. Do you know what the missing words are?
The Welcome is at quarter ______ two.
The Close is at quarter _______ six.
14:00 - Registration & Coffee
14:15 - Welcome
14:30 - Seminar A
16:00 - Break
16:15 - Seminar B
17:45 - Close