After hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "After hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that occurs after the regular working hours or business hours. Example: "The office will be closed after hours, so please make sure to finish your work before then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

After Hours 13.

The Guardian - Music

"After hours is a personal matter.

The New York Times

After hours, shares fell to $53.60.

Forbes

After Hours 14. Shadow 15.

Vice

After hours at St . Jeromes.

Vice

But after hours?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

We do not take emergencies after-hours.

Cornell University

Rambus shares fell 5% in after-hours.

Forbes

After-hours, the company is flat.

TechCrunch

Shares dropped 3percentt after-hours.

Los Angeles Times

Especially after-hours.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business operations, use "After hours" to clearly delineate activities or processes that occur outside of the standard operating timeframe.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands the specific timeframe implied by "After hours". Clarify the exact hours you're referring to, especially when dealing with different time zones or industries with varying work schedules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "After hours" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when an action takes place. Ludwig AI identifies it as referring to the time period following the normal hours of operation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "After hours" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate activities or services occurring outside of standard working or business hours. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples highlight its prevalence in news, academic, and business contexts. While its meaning is generally clear, providing specific timeframes can help prevent ambiguity. Alternatives such as "outside of business hours" or "beyond working hours" offer similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Outside of business hours

Replaces "after" with "outside of" and specifies "business hours" instead of leaving it implied.

Out of hours

A more concise alternative, primarily used in British English, carrying the same meaning.

Beyond working hours

Emphasizes the cessation of work activities, using "beyond" as a substitute for "after".

Post-business hours

Uses "post-" as a prefix to indicate the time period following business operations.

After the workday

Specifically refers to the time following the completion of a typical work day.

Following closing time

Applicable to businesses, indicating the period after the doors are shut to the public.

In the evening

Specifies a common timeframe that falls "after hours", focusing on the evening period.

During off-peak times

Highlights the period when activity is reduced, which often correlates with "after hours".

Once the day is done

A more idiomatic way of expressing the end of regular daytime activities.

Late-night

Focuses on the late part of the night and what you can do during "after hours".

FAQs

How is "After hours" used in business contexts?

In business, "After hours" often refers to trading activity that occurs "outside of regular market hours" or services available beyond standard business operation times.

What's the difference between "After hours" and "Out of hours"?

"After hours" and "out of hours" are largely interchangeable, both referring to times outside standard working hours. However, "out of hours" is more commonly used in British English.

What are some activities commonly associated with "After hours"?

Activities associated with "After hours" can include "late-night dining", emergency services, stock trading, or social events occurring outside of typical workdays.

Is it correct to use "After hours" to describe personal time?

Yes, "After hours" can certainly refer to personal time. You can use it to describe leisure activities or personal engagements that occur "beyond working hours".