around noon

USAGE SUMMARY

"around noon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to any time between eleven in the morning and one in the afternoon. For example: "We plan to meet around noon for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was around noon.

The New York Times

Around noon, Knight arrived.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is around noon.

The New York Times

Ms. Gutierrez quit around noon.

The New York Times

(Music usually begins around noon).

The New York Times - Food

Around noon the phone rang.

Independent

Around noon, the doorbell rang.

The New Yorker

Around noon, lunch arrived.

The New York Times - Magazine

Probably around noon.

The New York Times

That was around noon.

The New Yorker

Around noon, he heard a commotion.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around noon", consider your audience and the desired level of formality. For more formal writing, "approximately noon" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid assuming "around noon" is exactly 12:00 pm. It implies a flexible window, typically between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. If a precise time is needed, specify it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around noon" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the approximate time of an event. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, from scheduling meetings to describing daily routines. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around noon" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a time approximately at midday. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid phrase across diverse contexts, although formality should be considered when choosing synonyms like "approximately noon". Its frequency is high, especially in news and media, and it serves the communicative purpose of providing an approximate time reference. When writing, remember that the expression defines a time period, not an exact moment. For extremely formal writing, consider choosing a different expression or defining the exact time period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately noon

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the estimation of time.

about noon

This alternative is slightly less formal and suggests a general timeframe.

near noon

This alternative focuses on the proximity to noon.

close to noon

This alternative emphasizes the nearness to the specific time.

midday

This alternative is a single word that directly refers to the middle of the day.

12 pm-ish

This alternative is very informal, using "-ish" to indicate approximation.

lunchtime

This alternative is related to the common activity that occurs around noon.

noontime

This alternative is another single word referring to noon, somewhat more literary.

the middle of the day

This alternative is a more descriptive phrase that clarifies the time period.

towards noon

This alternative suggests an approaching timeframe, leading up to noon.

FAQs

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

You can use "around noon" to indicate a time close to midday. For example, "The meeting is scheduled for "around noon"" or "I plan to arrive "around noon" for lunch".

What's the difference between "around noon" and "at noon"?

"At noon" refers to the exact time of 12:00 pm, while "around noon" implies a time close to, but not necessarily exactly at, 12:00 pm. The phrase "around noon" provides more flexibility and approximation.

What are some alternative phrases for "around noon"?

Alternatives include "approximately noon", "about noon", "near noon", or simply "midday". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

While "around noon" is generally acceptable, more formal options like "approximately noon" or specifying a time range (e.g., "between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm") might be preferred in very formal contexts. It ultimately depends on the specific tone and audience.