How to read 8:50 on an analog clock
At 8:50, the minute hand points at the 10, which represents the 50th minute. The hour hand is between the 8 and the 9, but closer to the 9. This means we are 10 minutes away from nine o’clock.
In English, when the minute hand is on the 10, we say phrases like: It’s 10 to 9.
It’s ten to nine.
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 8:50
- I always start cooking dinner around it’s ten to nine.
- We usually go for a walk around 8:50.
- They left the house at it’s ten to nine. to catch the train.
- Don’t forget our call is scheduled for it’s ten to nine!
- My alarm goes off at 8:50 every morning.