Introduction:
In this module, you will learn about telling time using both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock, as well as how to talk about schedules and appointments using time. Understanding and using time-related vocabulary is essential for daily life, planning events, and making appointments in English.
Telling Time using Both 12-hour and 24-hour Clock:
1. 12-hour clock: In the 12-hour clock system, the day is divided into two periods: AM (from midnight to noon) and PM (from noon to midnight). The hours are numbered from 1 to 12 for both periods. For example: • 8:00 AM (eight o’clock in the morning) • 2:30 PM (two-thirty or half-past two in the afternoon)
2. 24-hour clock: In the 24-hour clock system, the day is divided into 24 hours, numbered from 00 to 23. This system is also known as military time and is commonly used in timetables and official documents. For example: • 08:00 (eight hundred hours or 8:00 AM) • 14:30 (fourteen thirty hours or 2:30 PM)
To convert between the 12-hour and 24-hour clock systems:
For PM hours, add 12 to the hour number (e.g., 2:30 PM = 14:30).
For AM hours, no conversion is needed, but add a zero before the hour number if it’s a single digit (e.g., 8:00 AM = 08:00).
Talking about Schedules and Appointments using Time:
1. When scheduling an appointment, use the appropriate preposition and the specific time. For example:
• The meeting is at 3:00 PM.
• My appointment is on Tuesday at 10:30 AM.
• The event starts at 19:00.
2. When discussing the duration of an event, use “from” and “to” or “until” to indicate the start and end times. For example:
• The conference is from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• The concert lasts from 20:00 until 23:00.
3. To talk about regular schedules, use “every” with the appropriate time interval. For example:
• I go to the gym every Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 PM.
• She has a meeting every day at 10:00 AM.
Practice Exercise: To practice using time in conversation, try the following exercise:
1. Write down your daily schedule, including wake-up time, work or school hours, meals, and bedtime, using both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock.
2. Plan a hypothetical event or party, indicating the start and end times, as well as any scheduled activities.
Conclusion:
In this module, you have learned about telling time using both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock, as well as how to talk about schedules and appointments using time. This knowledge is essential for daily life, planning events, and making appointments in English.
