How to read 11:40 on an analog clock
At 11:40, the minute hand points at the 8, which represents the 40th minute. The hour hand is between the 11 and the 12, but closer to the 12. This means we are 20 minutes away from twelve o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 8, we say phrases like: It’s 20 to 12.
It’s twenty to twelve.
This is a common way of expressing time in spoken English. These expressions sound more natural in everyday conversation.
It’s important to understand that we often refer to the next hour when using “to”, even if the hour hand hasn’t reached it yet.
Example sentences with 11:40
- My alarm goes off at 11:40 every morning.
- We usually go for a walk around 11:40.
- They left the house at it’s twenty to twelve. to catch the train.
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s twenty to twelve.
- Her dance class begins precisely at 11:40.