24-hr clock vs am/pm

Question

Your opinion: Does this (the military time) look better to you in a formal report rather than the 'am'/'pm' format?On Thursday, 5 May 2012 at 1543 hours, John Smith [...].Thanks.

Canadian45 · Accepted Answer

victoDoes this (the military time) look better to you in a formal report rather than the 'am'/'pm' format?

I don't think so.

Clive · Answer

In a business report, I think military-style time would usually look rather ridiculous.

Clive

AlpheccaStars · Answer

In a military report, it would be fine.
In Europe, it is much more common to use 24-hour time than in the US.

Fivejedjon · Answer

AlpheccaStarsIn Europe, it is much more common to use 24-hour time than in the US.

In continental Europe.

Apart from those who have been in the services, many British people find the 24-hour clock unnatural. It's used for public transport timetables, but most Brits translate it back into the twelve-hour clock.

Having been in the services, and also having lived in Germany and the Czech Republic for a total of some twenty years, I find it natural to say, "I'll see you at 19.30", even though I am British. Some of my British and American friends look a little puzzled. For them, it's an unnatural thing to say.

24-hr clock vs am/pm

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