What is PM (Time)?

S0-SA5-0717

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

PM stands for 'Post Meridiem' and is used to describe the time from noon (12:00 PM) until midnight (11:59 PM). It helps us know if an event happens in the afternoon or evening, after the morning.

Simple Example

Quick Example

If your school ends at 3:00 PM, it means you finish school in the afternoon, not in the morning. So, 3:00 PM clearly tells us it's the time after lunch and before evening.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say your favourite TV show starts at 8:00 PM. We want to know when to switch on the TV. --- Step 1: Understand that 'PM' means it's the time after noon. --- Step 2: So, 8:00 PM is 8 hours after 12:00 noon. --- Step 3: This means the show starts in the evening. --- Answer: You should switch on your TV in the evening at 8 o'clock to watch your favourite show.

Why It Matters

Understanding PM is crucial for planning your day, from school schedules to family events. It's used by everyone, from bus drivers following timetables to doctors scheduling appointments, ensuring no one misses important events. Even app developers use it for setting reminders!

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking 12 PM is midnight. | CORRECTION: 12 PM is actually noon, the middle of the day. Midnight is 12 AM.

MISTAKE: Confusing PM with AM for evening times. For example, saying a dinner party is at 7 AM. | CORRECTION: Evening and night times use PM. A dinner party at 7 AM would be very early in the morning!

MISTAKE: Believing PM starts right after 12:00 AM. | CORRECTION: PM starts at 12:00 noon (midday) and goes until 11:59 PM. AM starts at 12:00 AM (midnight) and goes until 11:59 AM.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: If your tuition class is at 6:30 PM, is it in the morning or evening? | ANSWER: Evening

QUESTION: Your favourite cricket match starts at 7:00 PM. If you had lunch at 1:00 PM, how many hours until the match starts? | ANSWER: 6 hours (from 1 PM to 7 PM)

QUESTION: A train is scheduled to depart at 9:15 PM and the journey takes 3 hours. Will it arrive before midnight or after midnight? | ANSWER: It will arrive after midnight (9:15 PM + 3 hours = 12:15 AM next day).

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these times represents an event happening in the afternoon?

1899-12-30T09:00:00.000Z

1899-12-30T11:30:00.000Z

1899-12-30T14:00:00.000Z

1899-12-30T00:00:00.000Z

The Correct Answer Is:

2:00 PM is after 12:00 noon, which falls in the afternoon. 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM are in the morning, and 12:00 AM is midnight.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you book a movie ticket online, the showtimes are always listed with AM or PM. For example, a 6:45 PM show means you need to be at the cinema in the evening, after school or work, to catch the movie.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

PM: Post Meridiem, indicating time from noon to midnight | Noon: 12:00 PM, midday | Midnight: 12:00 AM, the start of a new day | Time: A measure of events occurring in sequence

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand PM, you should learn about AM (Ante Meridiem). Knowing both AM and PM will help you fully understand the 12-hour clock system and tell time accurately, which is a fundamental skill for daily life.