Is 12 o’clock in the afternoon considered AM or PM?

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The distinction between AM and PM can often be a source of confusion, especially when it comes to the time that falls right at noon.

To clarify:

  • AM stands for ‘Ante Meridiem,’ which is Latin for ‘before midday’. This indicates the time from midnight to just before noon (12:00 AM to 11:59 AM).
  • PM stands for ‘Post Meridiem,’ meaning ‘after midday.’ This signifies the time from noon to just before midnight (12:00 PM to 11:59 PM).

Therefore, 12:00 PM is the correct designation for 12 o’clock in the afternoon. It’s the time that denotes the transition from AM to PM, marking the start of the afternoon.

In a typical daily schedule:

  • 12:00 AM marks the start of a new day.
  • 12:00 PM marks the halfway point of the day, which we commonly refer to as noon.

This clarification can be extremely useful when making plans or scheduling events, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the timing.

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