How to read 3:50 on an analog clock
At 3:50, the minute hand points at the 10, which represents the 50th minute. The hour hand is between the 3 and the 4, but closer to the 4. This means we are 10 minutes away from four o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 10, we say phrases like: It’s 10 to 4.
It’s ten to four.
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 3:50
- Her dance class begins precisely at 3:50.
- They left the house at it’s ten to four. to catch the train.
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s ten to four.
- My alarm goes off at 3:50 every morning.
- We usually go for a walk around 3:50.