after hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"after hours" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "after hours" to refer to a period of time after regular business hours, such as when a business is closed, or to refer to activities that occur outside of normal working hours. For example, "We had a team meeting after hours to prepare for our presentation tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But after hours?

The New York Times

Singing's for after hours.

The Guardian

"Waiters came after hours".

The New York Times

After Hours 13.

The Guardian - Music

I only float at night, after hours.

The New Yorker

"After hours is a personal matter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Rambus shares fell 5% in after-hours.

Forbes

After-hours, the company is flat.

TechCrunch

Shares dropped 3percentt after-hours.

Los Angeles Times

Shares declined slightly in after-hours trading.

The New York Times

After-hours appointments to suit busy schedules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing stock market trading, clarify if you are referring to "after hours" activity as it can significantly impact stock prices and investment strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "after hours" when you mean something is simply delayed or late, as it specifically refers to time outside of regularly scheduled periods. For instance, instead of saying "The report was completed after hours", say "The report was completed late" if it wasn't tied to the end of business operations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after hours" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or nouns to indicate when something occurs outside of regularly scheduled times. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in this sense.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after hours" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe activities that occur outside of regularly scheduled times. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its meaning is consistent across various contexts, primarily found in news, scientific, and business sources. When writing, ensure clarity by using it to specifically denote events occurring beyond normal operational periods, and avoid using it as a general substitute for terms like "late". Alternatives such as "outside of normal working hours" or "in the evening" may offer more precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside of normal working hours

Replaces "after hours" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the time outside standard work periods.

post-business day

Highlights the time following the end of the standard business day.

beyond the usual closing time

Focuses on the extension of time past a business's regular closing time.

after the bell

Relates primarily to stock market contexts, describing activity after the market's official closing.

in the evening

Specifies the time of day as the evening, implying it's outside typical daytime activities.

outside regular schedule

Emphasizes the deviation from a normal or typical timetable.

during off-peak times

Indicates times that are less busy or less active than regular hours.

in overtime

Suggests activities or work continuing past the regular hours, often with implications of additional pay.

late-night

Simply specifies that something takes place during the late part of the night.

on the graveyard shift

Indicates a shift that occurs during the very late night or early morning hours.

FAQs

How can I use "after hours" in a sentence?

You can use "after hours" to describe activities occurring outside of regular business hours, such as "The team stayed "after hours" to finish the project" or "The restaurant offers a special "after hours" menu".

What's a suitable alternative to "after hours"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "outside of normal working hours", "in the evening", or "during off-peak times". Each carries a slightly different nuance related to when and why the activity occurs.

Is it correct to say "after hour" instead of "after hours"?

No, the correct phrasing is "after hours", as it refers to a period of time outside of regular operating times. "After hour" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What does "after hours trading" mean in the stock market?

"After hours trading" refers to trading that occurs outside of the stock market's regular trading hours. This can be influenced by news released after the market closes and can affect the next day's opening prices.