How to read 12:10 on an analog clock
At 12:10, the minute hand points at the 2, which represents the 10th minute. The hour hand is between the 12 and the 1, but closer to the 12. This means we are 10 minutes past twelve o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 2, we say phrases like: It’s 10 past 12.
It’s ten past 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 12:10
- Her dance class begins precisely at 12:10.
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s ten past twelve.
- Don’t forget our call is scheduled for it’s ten past twelve!
- They left the house at it’s ten past twelve. to catch the train.
- My alarm goes off at 12:10 every morning.