Near lunchtime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Near lunchtime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame that is close to the lunch hour. Example: "Let's plan to meet near lunchtime so we can grab a bite to eat together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Best viewed near lunchtime.

The New York Times

It was near lunchtime.

The New Yorker

If you can't, then visit a showroom on a Monday or Tuesday near lunchtime when salespeople are generally not as busy and can give you the attention you want.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The home secretary was personally informed nearer lunchtime.

The Guardian

Flash forward to the fall of my senior year in high school, and my near-daily lunchtime routine: hunched over at a booth in Wendy's, chocolate Frosty in my right hand, copying calculus worksheets from Jimmy and Spanish homework from Chris with my left while they copied my notes on Medea or Jane Eyre.

Harvard University

It made landfall on Wednesday at about lunchtime, near Mexico Beach, Florida with winds of 155 mph.

The Guardian

At lunchtime, near the comfort station — bins stocked with clean socks, toilet paper, and sleeping bags — the kitchen was serving donated pizza, pork buns, and tuna sandwiches.

The New Yorker

The police said that six men, who appeared to be in their 40s, were in the coffee shop in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn on 134th Street, near Kennedy International Airport, at lunchtime when one of the men shot another in the head before doing the same to himself.

The New York Times

The Port Isaac lifeboat has been launched after reports a dog went over the cliff near Tintagel at lunchtime.

BBC

Captain Richard Williams, as he calls himself, made his first "Spice-head" film six months ago, when he saw a man crawling across a zebra crossing at lunchtime near his home in Blackpool.

Vice

As lunchtime neared, a man named David Hegarty bounded onstage wearing a T-shirt that read, "Ticket Hero".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Near lunchtime" to indicate a general timeframe rather than a precise moment. For example, "Let's meet near lunchtime" implies flexibility.

Common error

Avoid using "Near lunchtime" when a specific time is known. Instead of saying "The incident occurred near lunchtime", specify the time as "The incident occurred at 11:45 AM" if accuracy is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Near lunchtime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action takes place. It specifies the approximate time of an event relative to the typical lunch period, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Near lunchtime" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to denote a timeframe close to the lunch hour. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly frequent, it appears across diverse contexts like News & Media and Academia. The phrase is suitable for various writing styles and offers a flexible way to indicate time without specifying a precise moment. Consider using more specific language if precision is necessary. Some alternatives are around noon, close to midday, or about lunchtime.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Around noon

Indicates a time very close to 12:00 PM, often interchangeable with lunchtime.

Close to midday

Refers to the period immediately before or after the middle of the day.

About lunchtime

Indicates an approximate time around the lunch hour.

Approaching lunchtime

Emphasizes the time leading up to the lunch hour.

Toward lunchtime

Similar to approaching, but with a slightly broader timeframe.

Before lunch

Specifies a time prior to the start of lunch.

Just before noon

Highlights the immediacy of the time relative to noon.

Leading up to lunch

Focuses on the period of time preceding the lunch break.

Middayish

An informal way to indicate a time roughly around noon.

In anticipation of lunch

Suggests that lunchtime is expected soon.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "Near lunchtime"?

You can use alternatives like "around noon", "close to midday", or "about lunchtime" depending on the context.

How accurate is the timeframe when using "Near lunchtime"?

Using "Near lunchtime" suggests a time that is approximate and not exact, typically within an hour or two of the typical lunch hour (usually 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM).

Is "Near lunchtime" formal or informal?

"Near lunchtime" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language is preferred in formal documents.

Can "Near lunchtime" refer to a specific time every day?

No, "Near lunchtime" describes a relative time. For example, "My daily routine involves a walk around noon" means the walk happens close to the daily midday break, not necessarily at the same specific time each day.