12

Meanings

1. 1number

   the number equal to eleven plus one; written as 12

   Grammar: Used before a noun: 12 people. Can also stand alone: I have 12.

   Patterns

   • 12 of something
   • at 12
   • 12 o'clock

   There are 12 months in a year.

   She lives at number 12.

   The meeting starts at 12.

2. 2nounpluralslangAmerican

   the police (slang, especially in the US)

   Grammar: Used with a plural verb: The 12 are coming. Often written as 'the 12'.

   Patterns

   • call the 12
   • the 12 are ...

   He said he didn't want to call the 12.

   The 12 were outside the party.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   showing that a film or game is only for people aged 12 or older

   Grammar: Comes before the noun: a 12 certificate, a 12-rated game.

   Patterns

   • a 12 film
   • 12 certificate

   The movie has a 12 rating, so younger children can't watch it.

   This game is rated 12.

Common combinations

12 o'clock

Let's meet at 12 o'clock.

12 months

The contract lasts for 12 months.

number 12

Her house is number 12 on this street.

12 years old

My brother is 12 years old.

the 12

In some slang, people call the police 'the 12'.

Synonyms and how they differ

twelve

The word form of the number; use it in formal writing or when spelling out numbers.

dozen

Means a group of twelve, but it is a noun, not a number: a dozen eggs.

Word family

twelve number

The word form of 12.

twelfth adjective

Coming after the eleventh; 12th.

Commonly confused: 12 or 20? 12 or 1/2?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “12”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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