How to read 11:45 on an analog clock
At 11:45, the minute hand points at the 9, which represents the 45th minute. The hour hand is between the 11 and the 12, but closer to the 12. This means we are 15 minutes away from twelve o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 9, we say phrases like: It’s a quarter to 12.
It’s a quarter 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 11:45
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s a quarter to twelve.
- Don’t forget our call is scheduled for it’s a quarter to twelve!
- My alarm goes off at 11:45 every morning.
- Her dance class begins precisely at 11:45.
- They left the house at it’s a quarter to twelve. to catch the train.