How to read 11:55 on an analog clock
At 11:55, the minute hand points at the 11, which represents the 55th minute. The hour hand is between the 11 and the 12, but closer to the 12. This means we are 5 minutes away from twelve o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 11, we say phrases like: It’s 5 to 12.
It’s five 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 11:55
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s five to twelve.
- They left the house at it’s five to twelve. to catch the train.
- Her dance class begins precisely at 11:55.
- My alarm goes off at 11:55 every morning.
- We usually go for a walk around 11:55.