around midnight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around midnight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time that is approximately at midnight, often in the context of events or activities occurring during that time. Example: "The party will start around midnight, so make sure to arrive a little earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We tumble in around midnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The rest of the 1st Guards joined in around midnight.

Wikipedia

"Usually around midnight".

The New York Times

Sunday, around midnight.

The New York Times

TO BED Around midnight.

The New York Times

We walked out around midnight.

The New Yorker

Finally, around midnight, Aurora arrives.

Independent

Around midnight, Bruce called again.

The New Yorker

He arrived at around midnight.

The New Yorker

Around midnight, the check arrived.

The New Yorker

Around midnight, the city was relatively calm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that happen over a range of time including midnight, consider specifying the duration or using "late night" instead to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "around midnight" when precision is needed. For exact times, state the specific time (e.g., 12:00 AM).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around midnight" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying verbs by specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples include "We tumble in "around midnight"" and "He arrived at "around midnight"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around midnight" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a time approximately at 12:00 AM. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and wide acceptance. Its primary function is to serve as an adverbial phrase of time, adding context to when events occur. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for situations where exact precision isn't required. Alternatives include "approximately at midnight", "near midnight", and "about midnight". Be mindful of the context and desired level of formality when choosing the best phrase. With 66 examples found, it demonstrates significant usage in news and media, according to Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately at midnight

Specifies an approximate time, similar to "around midnight".

near midnight

Indicates a time close to midnight, but may suggest slightly earlier.

about midnight

Suggests an approximation, like "around midnight".

close to midnight

Emphasizes the proximity to the exact time of midnight.

towards midnight

Indicates the period leading up to midnight.

in the vicinity of midnight

A more formal way of expressing a time close to midnight.

at the stroke of midnight

Refers to the precise moment of midnight.

midnightish

An informal term indicating a time close to midnight.

late at night

Broader term referring to the later hours of the night, including midnight.

the witching hour

Refers to midnight as a mystical or supernatural time.

FAQs

How can I use "around midnight" in a sentence?

You can use "around midnight" to indicate a time approximately at midnight, as in "The party started "around midnight"" or "I usually go to bed "around midnight"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "around midnight"?

Alternatives to "around midnight" include "approximately at midnight", "near midnight", or "about midnight".

Is it appropriate to use "around midnight" in formal writing?

While "around midnight" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "in the vicinity of midnight" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What does "around midnight" mean?

"Around midnight" means approximately at 12:00 AM, implying a time close to, but not necessarily exactly at, midnight. It suggests an estimation rather than a precise moment.