How to read 12:45 on an analog clock
At 12:45, the minute hand points at the 9, which represents the 45th minute. The hour hand is between the 12 and the 1, but closer to the 1. This means we are 15 minutes away from one o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 9, we say phrases like: It’s a quarter to 1.
It’s a quarter to one.
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 12:45
- They left the house at it’s a quarter to one. to catch the train.
- We usually go for a walk around 12:45.
- Her dance class begins precisely at 12:45.
- My alarm goes off at 12:45 every morning.
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s a quarter to one.