after lunchtime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after lunchtime" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a point or period of time in the afternoon immediately following lunch. For example, "I'm planning to head to the store after lunchtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

And just after lunchtime there was a sudden downpour.

The Guardian

Mr. Romney arrived at his campaign headquarters in Boston shortly after lunchtime to meet with advisers.

The New York Times

The voting was scheduled to begin shortly after lunchtime on Friday.

The New York Times

The height of panic on Thursday was reached shortly after lunchtime in the United States.

The New York Times

From just after lunchtime [on day one] we were pretty much in control of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a little after lunchtime, and sun filtered grayly through the skylights.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Tony Adams Served two months of a four-month sentence in 1990 for drink-driving after crashing his Ford Sierra into a wall in Essex after a lunchtime barbecue.

The Guardian - Sport

Many companies schedule Coffee Chats the afternoon after their lunchtime presentation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A rare Fender Stratocaster – after four lunchtime martinis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the lunchtime trade dies down, I interview Fusco.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The sit-in began after a lunchtime demonstration on the steps of Nassau Hall.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after lunchtime" to clearly indicate an event or activity occurring in the early afternoon, offering a more specific timeframe than just "in the afternoon".

Common error

Be specific about the timing. Instead of saying "sometime in the afternoon", use "after lunchtime" to give a clearer indication of when something will happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after lunchtime" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event or action occurs. Ludwig AI shows its usage to indicate a timeframe in the afternoon, immediately following the lunch period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after lunchtime" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a time shortly following the midday meal. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. It's register is generally neutral, making it suitable for many types of writing. While "in the afternoon" is a broader term, "after lunchtime" gives a more precise timeframe. To improve clarity, avoid vagueness and specify timing. Common authoritative sources using this phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once lunch is over

This alternative emphasizes the completion of lunch as the starting point.

after eating lunch

This alternative emphasizes the action of eating lunch as preceding the subsequent activity.

after the noon break

This alternative specifies the 'lunchtime' as a break period during the day.

post-lunch period

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the time immediately following lunch.

in the afternoon

This alternative is broader, referring to the entire period following noon, not specifically after the lunch hour.

subsequent to lunch

This alternative is a more formal and literary way to express 'after lunch'.

following midday meal

This alternative uses more descriptive language to specify the meal and the time following it.

in the wake of lunch

This alternative is a more figurative and descriptive way to say 'after lunch'.

later in the day

This alternative is less specific, indicating a time after the morning but not necessarily right after lunch.

from mid-afternoon onwards

This alternative suggests a broader period starting in the mid-afternoon, not immediately after lunch.

FAQs

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

You can use "after lunchtime" to indicate an event or activity that occurs in the afternoon, following the lunch period. For example, "The meeting is scheduled for "after lunchtime"."

What are some alternatives to "after lunchtime"?

Some alternatives to "after lunchtime" include phrases like "in the afternoon", "post-lunch period", or "following the noon break".

Is "after lunchtime" formal or informal?

"After lunchtime" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "subsequent to lunch" may be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "after lunchtime" and "in the afternoon"?

"After lunchtime" refers specifically to the period immediately following lunch, while "in the afternoon" is a broader term encompassing the entire period from noon until evening. Thus, "after lunchtime" provides a more precise timeframe.