after the close of business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after the close of business" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a deadline or time frame that occurs after the end of the business day, often in a professional or corporate context. Example: "Please submit your reports after the close of business on Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

There is no sign, and most of the furnishings disappear after the close of business.

The New York Times - Food

After the close of business that day, a Friday, a botnet began spewing out millions of spam messages, he said.

The New York Times

NASA released the documents after the close of business, and calls to representatives of the agency at home were not returned.

The New York Times

The company argues that because the F.D.A. approval came after the close of business, the 60-day clock should not have started ticking until the next business day — the following Monday.

The New York Times

Papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by the Jackoway firm say that Mr. Hirsch and his colleagues collected their bi-weekly paychecks on Friday, Aug. 13, and, after the close of business, bolted.

The New York Times

AFTER an awful year, Madison Avenue cannot wait for 2001 to end, so it will in effect be declared over after the close of business on Friday, Dec. 21.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

After Davis's deadline -- the close of business Wednesday -- the remaining educators will receive a charge letter, which will contain an accusation and a witness list.

Huffington Post

The Florida secretary of state said she would probably declare a winner by the close of business today after a recount of nearly six million votes and the tallying of absentee ballots.

The New York Times

Walsh is stepping down at the close of business Thursday after failing to secure assurances of autonomy in a new contract.

The New York Times - Sports

The deadline is by the close of business on Friday.

The New York Times

"By the close of business it should be done".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting deadlines, use "after the close of business" to clearly indicate that submissions or actions are expected after the normal working hours, minimizing ambiguity. For example, "Please submit your expense reports after the close of business on Friday."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "after the close of business" implies immediate action. Clarify whether the task needs to be completed that same evening or by the start of the next business day to prevent confusion and delays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after the close of business" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating when something occurs in relation to the end of the business day. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often used to specify deadlines or timeframes in professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after the close of business" is a prepositional phrase commonly used in professional settings to indicate that something should occur after normal working hours. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct, but usage is uncommon. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clarify the specific time if needed to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives include "after business hours" or "post-business hours". The key is to ensure clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after business hours

Replaces "close of business" with a more general term for the end of the workday.

post-business hours

Uses "post-" as a prefix to indicate that something occurs after business hours.

at the end of the business day

More explicitly states the time frame as the conclusion of the business day.

following the close of business

Adds emphasis to the sequence of events, specifying that something happens directly after.

after the workday ends

Uses simpler language, replacing "close of business" with "workday ends".

once the office is closed

Focuses on the physical closure of the office as the point in time.

after the official end of the day

Emphasizes the official cessation of the workday.

subsequent to the end of trading

A more formal term, best suited for the stock market or similar financial contexts.

outside of normal working hours

Describes actions that take place outside of standard working times.

after knock-off time

An informal phrase meaning after the time when work ends.

FAQs

How can I use "after the close of business" in a sentence?

You can use "after the close of business" to specify a deadline or timeframe that occurs after the end of the normal working day. For example, "The report must be submitted "after the close of business" on Friday."

What is an alternative to saying "after the close of business"?

Alternatives include "after business hours", "post-business hours", or "at the end of the business day".

Is it correct to say "after the close of business"?

Yes, the phrase "after the close of business" is grammatically correct and widely used in professional settings to indicate a time after the normal working hours.

What does "after the close of business" typically mean?

It generally means after 5:00 PM in regions with standard business hours, but this can vary based on the specific company or industry. Always clarify the specific time if needed.