after business hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after business hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the hours outside the normal operating times of a business, such as evenings and weekends. For example, "We offer customer service support after business hours so that you can get help anytime, day or night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We couldn't work until after business hours.

The New Yorker

As usual after business hours, no one was there.

The New York Times

A phone call after business hours to Deloitte & Touche Tohmatsu in Shanghai was not answered.

The New York Times

After business hours, travelers can report the loss of their passports online at travel.state.gov.gov

The New York Times

The university has a dialing system to reach officials after business hours.

The New York Times

Calls made after business hours yesterday to HeartShare Human Services of New York were not returned.

The New York Times

A call left for Mr. Lawless' spokesman after business hours Monday was not returned.

The New York Times

The Russian bank did not respond to calls after business hours Monday.

The New York Times

A phone message left after business hours for a lawyer representing Mr. Nicholas was not returned.

The New York Times - Tech

After business hours, he liked to dash through the carpeted hallways.

The New Yorker

Messages left after business hours on Monday for Mr. Artan and Mr. Gruel were not immediately answered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling meetings or contacting individuals, be mindful of different time zones to avoid reaching out to them "after business hours" in their location.

Common error

When communicating with international colleagues, clearly specify the time zone to prevent misunderstandings about deadlines or availability "after business hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after business hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action takes place. It specifies the timing of an event or activity, indicating it occurs outside of the typical operating times of a business. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after business hours" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the time outside of normal business operating times. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. It functions adverbially, providing context to the timing of events. Predominantly used in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Related phrases include "outside of working hours" and "during non-business hours". Remember to be mindful of time zones when communicating across different regions and to avoid ambiguity when scheduling meetings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

During non-business hours

A more explicit phrasing with the same meaning.

Outside normal operating hours

A formal alternative specifying a departure from standard operating times.

Outside of working hours

Emphasizes time outside of work, broader than just business operations.

Beyond office hours

Highlights that activities or services are available outside standard office timings.

After the close of business

A more formal and specific phrasing, emphasizing the official end of operations.

After the workday ends

Focuses specifically on the end of the working day.

Post-workday

Focuses on the time immediately following the end of the workday.

After the 5 o'clock hour

More colloquial and alludes to a traditional quitting time.

In the evening

A general reference to time, lacking the specific business context.

On weekends

Specific to weekend days, excluding weekdays.

FAQs

What is another way to say "after business hours"?

You can use alternatives like "outside of working hours", "post-workday", or "during non-business hours" depending on the context.

How do you use "after business hours" in a sentence?

You can use "after business hours" to indicate when something occurs outside of normal working times. For example, "The support team is available "after business hours" to assist with any urgent issues."

What's the difference between "after business hours" and "after hours"?

"After hours" is a more general term that can refer to any time outside of a regularly scheduled period, while "after business hours" specifically relates to the time period after a business has closed for the day. They can often be used interchangeably, although "after hours" may also refer to social events that occur "after business hours".

Is it appropriate to contact someone "after business hours"?

Generally, it is best to avoid contacting someone "after business hours" unless it is an emergency or has been pre-arranged. Respecting work-life balance is important.