around breakfast time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around breakfast time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the general period during which breakfast is typically eaten, often indicating a time frame rather than a specific moment. Example: "I usually go for a run around breakfast time to start my day off right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Best eaten standing in front of the fridge, around breakfast time.

The New Yorker

8 p.m. 8) Trout and About Remember that trout that got away, around breakfast time today?

The New York Times - Travel

"Most of the results from the local counting areas are expected by the early hours of Friday morning with the official outcome anticipated by around breakfast time.

The Guardian - Business

After a pitched battle on the second day of the fight, the better-equipped and more numerous pro-Qaddafi border guards abruptly abandoned their post around breakfast time, said rebel fighters and Tunisian officers who watched the retreat.

The New York Times

A teenager opened fire on a group of students in a high school cafeteria outside Cleveland around breakfast time on Monday, leaving one student dead and four others wounded, the authorities said.

The New York Times

After accounting for these differences, the researchers determined that for the average user in each country, positive posts crested around breakfast time, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; they fell off gradually until hitting a trough between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., then drifted upward, rising more sharply after dinner.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Poverty is the biggest driver of demand, she says; even working families are left behind by accelerating living costs and employment patterns that mean parents in low-income households may not be around at breakfast time.

The Guardian

No. Around 5 AM it was breakfast time.

Vice

From breakfast time onwards growers from the village and around arrive bearing fruits carefully cradled in egg boxes, to be solemnly weighed by the judges following procedures that have barely changed in 212 years.

Independent

As we finally pulled into Manchester at around 10.30pm I got a phone call from Breakfast Time.

The Guardian - Music

It's breakfast time.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around breakfast time" to indicate a general timeframe rather than a precise moment. It's suitable when the exact timing isn't critical.

Common error

Avoid using "around breakfast time" when a precise time is needed. For example, if a meeting is scheduled for 8:00 AM, it's better to state the exact time rather than saying it's "around breakfast time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around breakfast time" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs. It indicates a general period, as Ludwig AI confirms, rather than a specific point in time. Examples in Ludwig show it describing routines, events, and activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around breakfast time" is a prepositional phrase used as an adverbial of time, indicating a general period in the morning near when breakfast is typically eaten. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When precision isn't critical, this phrase is an effective way to set a temporal context. Remember to use more specific times when necessary to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "at breakfast" or "near breakfast" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breakfast time

Slightly less descriptive, but interchangeable in many contexts.

near breakfast

Indicates close proximity in time to the breakfast meal.

close to breakfast

Indicates a temporal nearness to the time of breakfast.

at breakfast

More concise; focuses on the mealtime itself rather than a period around it.

during breakfast

Similar to "at breakfast" but can imply an activity happening while breakfast is in progress.

breakfast hours

Implies a range of time during which breakfast is commonly eaten.

in the breakfast hour

Highlights the specific hour typically associated with breakfast.

in the morning

Broader term indicating the general part of the day when breakfast usually occurs.

pre-breakfast

Specifically refers to the time immediately preceding breakfast.

when having breakfast

Focuses on the activity of eating breakfast itself.

FAQs

How can I use "around breakfast time" in a sentence?

You can use "around breakfast time" to refer to a general period in the morning when people typically eat breakfast. For example, "I usually check my emails "around breakfast time"."

What are some alternatives to saying "around breakfast time"?

Alternatives include "at breakfast", "during breakfast", or "near breakfast" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "at breakfast time" or "around breakfast time"?

"Around breakfast time" suggests a less precise timeframe compared to "at breakfast time". Use "around" when the exact moment isn't important. For example, "I usually exercise "around breakfast time"," versus "We will discuss the project "at breakfast"."

What does "around breakfast time" imply about the specificity of the time?

"Around breakfast time" suggests a general period, typically within an hour or two of when breakfast is usually eaten. It implies less precision than specifying an exact time.