at afternoon

USAGE SUMMARY

'at afternoon' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time or period of the day, typically from early afternoon until evening (though this can vary by region). For example: "We will have our meeting at afternoon."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

For the trial, the scientists randomly assigned 276 people aged 65 and over to have flu jabs at either morning surgeries, between 9am and 11am, or at afternoon surgeries, between 3pm and 5pm.

The Guardian

It is mobbed at afternoon teatimes.

The New York Times - Food

A glass of Champagne is not out of place at afternoon tea.

The New York Times - Food

Just how does one broach the subject of love at afternoon tea?

The New Yorker

Walter Bradford was entertaining three Viennese guests at afternoon coffee in his new country house.

The New Yorker

At afternoon tea, Fezoo was to give me exactly three biscuits, in the evening, none.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

exposure at noon, mortality at midnight".

The New Yorker

That was at midnight.

The Guardian - Sport

And at night.

The New York Times

It transforms at night.

The New York Times - Travel

The tractors' at night,.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "at afternoon" is understandable, consider using "in the afternoon" for contemporary writing as it is the more common and accepted form.

Common error

Avoid using "at afternoon" in contexts where you are otherwise using contemporary language. Mixing archaic phrases with modern language can make your writing sound inconsistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at afternoon" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event occurs. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, indicating activities taking place during the afternoon period. While Ludwig AI finds it usable, it notes its relative infrequency in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

21%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at afternoon" is understandable, it is less common in contemporary English compared to "in the afternoon". Ludwig AI confirms that "at afternoon" is usable but highlights its declining frequency. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific articles, and wiki sources, the phrase functions as an adverbial of time. For modern writing, it's generally better to opt for "in the afternoon" unless aiming for a slightly archaic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the afternoon

Replaces the preposition 'at' with 'in', reflecting the more common modern usage.

during the afternoon

Emphasizes the duration of the activity within the afternoon period.

early afternoon

Specifies the earlier part of the afternoon.

late afternoon

Specifies the later part of the afternoon, closer to evening.

mid-afternoon

Refers to the middle part of the afternoon.

around noon

Indicates a time close to midday, often considered the start of the afternoon.

after lunch

Indicates a time following the lunch period, typically within the afternoon.

past midday

A more general term indicating a time after 12:00 PM.

the p.m.

Uses the abbreviation 'p.m.' to denote the afternoon or evening hours.

in daylight hours

Broader term that includes afternoon but also morning.

FAQs

Is "at afternoon" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "at afternoon" is less common in modern English. "In the afternoon" is generally preferred. Both are grammatically acceptable, but usage patterns have shifted.

What's the difference between "at afternoon" and "in the afternoon"?

"At afternoon" was more common in earlier English, but "in the afternoon" is the standard form today. Using "in the afternoon" reflects contemporary usage.

When should I use "in the afternoon" instead of "at afternoon"?

You should almost always use "in the afternoon" in contemporary writing. "At afternoon" may sound archaic or unusual to modern readers.

What are some alternatives to "at afternoon"?

Alternatives include "during the afternoon", "early afternoon", or "late afternoon", depending on the specific time you want to indicate.