A variety of different styles may be acceptable for formal invitations. The following style should be used in text for print and electronic communications.Use numbers for times, except for noon and midnight, use a colon to separate hours and minutes and do not use ciphers (double zeros) with whole hours.
Examples
- The meeting will be held from 8 to 11:45 a.m.
- Sessions begin at noon, 2:30 and 4 p.m.
- The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rules
- Lowercase a.m. and p.m. and always use periods.
- Lowercase noon and midnight.
- Do not use 12 noon or 12 midnight (redundant). Use noon or midnight.
- Do not use 12 p.m. or 12 a.m. Use noon or midnight.
- Do not use 8 a.m. in the morning (redundant) Use 8 a.m.
- Do not use o’clock with a.m. or p.m.
Do not use dashes
Do not use dashes in place of "to" or "through" or "and" or "until" with times of day or days of the week.
- Use: The meetings are 8 to 11a.m., Monday through Thursday.
- Not: The meetings are 8-11a.m., Monday-Thursday.
Exceptions
An n-dash may be used with dates (e.g., July 18–21), and should always be used with dates when both days of the week and dates are included.
- Example: The play runs Monday through Thursday, July 18–21.
When listing a beginning and ending time separated only by the word "to," or when listing a series of times when all times listed are a.m. or p.m., use a.m. or p.m. only once, following the final time listed.
Use: The meeting will be held from 8to11a.m.
Not: The meeting will be held from 8a.m. to 11a.m.
Use: Sessions begin at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30a.m.
Not: Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30a.m.
References to midnight can cause confusion. Is midnight Friday at the beginning or at the end of Friday? That’s why insurance policies usually take effect at 12:01a.m. and why airline schedules list flights at 11:59p.m. or 12:01a.m. and not midnight.
In many references, midnight is perfectly acceptable. In the sentence, "The dance will be held from 8p.m. to midnight Friday," the meaning is clear.
As an expert in language and communication standards, particularly in the context of formal invitations and time representation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to elucidate the intricacies of the guidelines provided in the article. My understanding stems from a comprehensive grasp of linguistic nuances, typographic conventions, and the pragmatic application of these rules in both print and electronic mediums.
Let's delve into the various concepts highlighted in the article:
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Time Representation: The article emphasizes the appropriate use of numbers for times, the inclusion of a colon to separate hours and minutes, and the avoidance of ciphers (double zeros) with whole hours. For instance:
- Correct: The meeting will be held from 8 to 11:45 a.m.
- Correct: Sessions begin at noon, 2:30, and 4 p.m.
- Correct: The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Formatting Rules:
- Lowercasing and Periods: Lowercase a.m. and p.m. and always use periods. For example:
- Correct: The event starts at 8 a.m.
- Noon and Midnight: Lowercase noon and midnight. Avoid redundant expressions like 12 noon or 12 midnight.
- Correct: The presentation is scheduled for noon.
- Dashes: Do not use dashes in place of "to" or "through" or "and" or "until" with times of day or days of the week.
- Correct: The meetings are 8 to 11 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
- Exceptions: An n-dash may be used with dates (e.g., July 18–21), particularly when both days of the week and dates are included.
- Lowercasing and Periods: Lowercase a.m. and p.m. and always use periods. For example:
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Specific Time-Related Phrasing:
- Redundancy: Avoid redundant expressions like 12 p.m. or 12 a.m.
- Use of "to" with Times: When listing a beginning and ending time separated only by the word "to," or when listing a series of times when all times listed are a.m. or p.m., use a.m. or p.m. only once, following the final time listed.
- Correct: The meeting will be held from 8to11 a.m.
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References to Midnight:
- The article notes the potential confusion associated with references to midnight and provides insight into why certain industries prefer using 12:01 a.m. instead of midnight for precision.
In summary, the provided information offers a comprehensive guide on how to effectively communicate time in formal invitations, highlighting crucial details about formatting, phrasing, and exceptions to ensure clarity and precision in various contexts.
