space in 'o´clock'

Write o'clock as one word with an apostrophe: o'clock. The apostrophe replaces the letters in "of the," so there should be no space between the o and clock. Use o'clock only when the time is exactly on the hour (e.g., one o'clock = 1:00).

Below: the rule, precise fixes, many copy/paste wrong→right pairs, situational examples (work, school, casual), short rewrite templates, and quick proofreading tricks you can apply now.

Quick answer

Use o'clock as a single word with an apostrophe: one o'clock, 9 o'clock. Do not write o clock, o' clock, or oclock.

Correct: 3 o'clock; one o'clock.
Incorrect: 3 o clock; 3 o' clock; oclock (missing apostrophe).
If minutes appear, don't use o'clock. Wrong: 6:30 o'clock. Use 6:30, six-thirty, or half past six instead.

Core explanation: origin and grammar

O'clock is a contraction of "of the clock"; the apostrophe marks omitted letters. Over time the contraction fused into a single written word.

Functionally it works as an adverbial time phrase: "The meeting is at nine o'clock." Treat it like other contractions-no space between the pieces.

o' = of (apostrophe = missing letters); o'clock = of the clock.
Use o'clock only for exact hours (one o'clock = 1:00).
In technical or tabular contexts, prefer numerals (1:00, 13:00) for clarity.

Spacing and punctuation: common mistakes and the exact fix

Typical errors: adding a space (o clock), adding a space after the apostrophe (o' clock), or dropping the apostrophe (oclock).

Fix: write o'clock-apostrophe immediately after the o, then clock with no spaces.

Wrong → Right: "o clock" → "o'clock".
Wrong → Right: "o' clock" → "o'clock".
Wrong → Right: "oclock" → "o'clock".
Do not pair o'clock with minutes: wrong "6:30 o'clock" → right "6:30" or "half past six".

Example: Wrong: I'll be there at 7 o clock.
Right: I'll be there at 7 o'clock.
Example: Wrong: The show starts at 6:30 o'clock.
Right: The show starts at 6:30. (Or: half past six.)

Hyphenation and line breaks

Because o'clock is one word, avoid splitting it across lines. If layout forces breaks, use numeric forms or rephrase to keep the meaning clear.

Do not hyphenate: never break o'clock as o'- / clock or o / 'clock.
If columns are narrow, use numerals (3:00) or "at three" to prevent awkward splits.

Bad break (avoid): "The meeting is at 4 o-\n'clock today." Good: "The meeting is at 4 o'clock today." or "The meeting is at 4:00 today."

Real usage: work, school, and casual examples

Choose the form that fits tone and clarity: numerals for formal/technical uses, o'clock or spelled-out numbers for narrative, and minimal phrasing for casual chat.

Work - Wrong: The kickoff is at 9 o' clock tomorrow - please be on time.
Right: The kickoff is at 9 o'clock tomorrow - please be on time. Alternative: The kickoff is at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
School - Wrong: Lecture starts at 10 o clock; attendance is required.
Right: Lecture starts at 10 o'clock; attendance is required. Alternative: Lecture starts at 10:00.
Casual - Wrong: Meet me at 8 o clock at the cafe?
Right: Meet me at 8 o'clock at the cafe? Alternative: Want to meet at 8?

Try your own sentence

Check the full sentence, not just the phrase. Context often clarifies whether o'clock suits the tone or whether numerals are better.

Examples you can copy: wrong → right pairs (extended)

Use these pairs to update emails, calendars, and documents. Left = common mistake; right = corrected form (with alternatives where helpful).

Wrong: The interview is at 10 o' clock tomorrow.
Right: The interview is at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
Wrong: Can you come at o clock on Friday?
Right: Can you come at o'clock on Friday? (Better: Can you come at 5:00 on Friday?)
Wrong: Class starts at 8 o clock; don't be late.
Right: Class starts at 8 o'clock; don't be late.
Wrong: I'll pick you up at seven o' clock.
Right: I'll pick you up at seven o'clock.
Wrong: Meeting moved to 3 o' clock due to a conflict.
Right: Meeting moved to 3 o'clock due to a conflict. (
Alternative: 3:00 p.m.)
Wrong: The ceremony begins at 11 o clock sharp.
Right: The ceremony begins at 11 o'clock sharp.
Wrong: Our call is at 12 o clock noon.
Right: Our call is at 12 o'clock noon. (Better: 12:00 p.m.)
Wrong: They open at 9 o clock on Saturdays.
Right: They open at 9 o'clock on Saturdays.
Wrong: He arrived at 5 o clock-ish.
Right: He arrived at 5 o'clock-ish. (Or: He arrived around 5.)

Rewrite help: quick repairs and alternatives

Three-step repair: (1) find "o clock" or "o' clock", (2) replace with "o'clock" or use numerals, (3) adjust tone (formal vs casual).

If minutes are present, convert to numerals; in professional writing, prefer numerals with a.m./p.m.

Original: The workshop starts at 4 o' clock. Corrected: The workshop starts at 4 o'clock.
Alternative: The workshop starts at 4:00 p.m.
Original: We'll meet o clock. Corrected: We'll meet at 5 o'clock.
Alternative: Let's meet at five.
Original: Conference room reserved at 11 o clock sharp. Corrected: Conference room reserved at 11 o'clock sharp.
Alternative: Conference room reserved at 11:00 a.m.
Original: Party starts at 7 o clock (approx). Corrected: Party starts at 7 o'clock (approx.).
Alternative: Party starts at 7 - come when you can.

Memory tricks and proofreading tips

Small habits remove friction: add a find-and-replace, enable a checker that flags spacing after apostrophes, and proofread aloud.

Mnemonic: o' stands for "of"-think "of the clock" so the pieces belong together.
Find-and-replace: replace "o clock" and "o' clock" with "o'clock" across the document.
Editor tip: create a short abbreviation (e.g., type oc → expand to o'clock) or a custom rule in your editor.
Proofread aloud: if you pause between o and clock when speaking, fix the written form.

Similar mistakes and when not to use o'clock

Common related errors: missing apostrophe (oclock), using o'clock with minutes, splitting the word at line breaks, or misapplying it in technical contexts.

Avoid o'clock when specifying minutes, using 24-hour time, or following a strict style guide that favors numerals.

Wrong: 6:30 o'clock →
Right: 6:30 or half past six.
Wrong: oclock →
Right: o'clock.
If your style guide requires 24-hour or AM/PM notation, use 14:00 or 2:00 p.m., not 2 o'clock.

Example: Wrong: We'll meet at 6:30 o'clock.
Right: We'll meet at 6:30. (Or: We'll meet at half past six.)

FAQ

Is o'clock one word or two?

One word with an apostrophe: o'clock. The apostrophe replaces letters from "of the." Do not insert a space between the o and clock.

Can I use o'clock with minutes (for example 6:30)?

No. Use numerals (6:30), "half past six", or "six-thirty". O'clock is reserved for exact hours (e.g., 5 o'clock).

Should I write 3 o'clock or 3:00 in a professional document?

Prefer numerals with a.m./p.m. (3:00 p.m.) in professional or technical documents. Use 3 o'clock in narrative prose or informal contexts.

What if I accidentally typed o' clock or o clock throughout a document?

Run a find-and-replace for "o clock" and "o' clock" → "o'clock". Then review any instances with minutes and convert those to numerals where appropriate.

How do I avoid breaking o'clock at the end of a line?

Adjust hyphenation settings so o'clock stays together, or use a numeric form (3:00) or rewrite ("at three") to avoid forced breaks.

Quick check before you send

Search your draft for "o clock" and "o' clock" and replace with "o'clock" where appropriate. For an extra safety net, enable an editor or browser grammar checker to flag spacing and apostrophe errors as you type.