Is correct to tell time by hours / minutes or by using Past / To ?

Hello, is it correct to tell the time in english language by saying hours and minutes ? Do I have to use Past and To method ?

Both ways of telling the time are correct.

In case of 10:30 AM:

- With hour and minutes method, you can say "At ten thirty in the morning"

- With Past and To method, you can say "At half past ten in the morning"

The hour and minutes method of telling time in english is probably more understandable for most people.