but in midsummer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but in midsummer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time during the summer season, often in a literary or poetic context. Example: "The festival is usually held in spring, but in midsummer, the celebrations take on a different tone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But in midsummer?

The New York Times - Food

Many of the shrubs are spring bloomers, but in midsummer, the hydrangeas come into their own.

The New York Times

But in midsummer 2011, geezers who could vaguely remember Bobby Nystrom's big goal in 1980 voted thumbs-down on Wang's real estate boondoggle.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees defeated the Mets in the Subway Series to capture their third consecutive World Series championship, but in midsummer that outcome hardly seemed ordained.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

An all-day, 28-mile ride beside the rushing Aroostook is beautiful anytime, but visit in midsummer to see the County's endless fields of pink and white potato blossoms.

Huffington Post

None of these whites exceed 13.1 percent alcohol by volume, a moderate level; higher percentages can leave a noticeable afterburn on the palate, which may be desirable in winter but certainly not in midsummer.

The New York Times

I was sad to leave the house in "Midsummer," but that feeling was useful because my characters had the same problem.

The New York Times - Travel

To ensure his base he had fought a brief campaign against the Jews in midsummer; but he now sent Mucianus with an expeditionary force to Dyrrhachium (Durazzo), where a fleet was instructed to meet him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As for Gandolfini, Crew members grew accustomed to hearing grunts and curses coming from the trailer as he worked up the emotional pitch of a scene by, say, destroying a boom box radio.… The heavy bathrobe that became Tony's signature, transforming him into a kind of domestic bear, was murder under the lights in midsummer, but Gandolfini insisted on wearing it between takes.

The New Yorker

At this point McCall expects them to reopen sometime in midsummer – but only after they've come up with something that satisfies their own high standards.

BBC

By then, Surrey had parted company with team director Chris Adams, who was replaced by Surrey legend Alec Stewart in midsummer, but it has not gone to plan for the former England skipper either.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but in midsummer" to introduce a contrast or unexpected element specifically related to the summer season. It's effective for highlighting exceptions to typical summer expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "but in midsummer" when a general reference to summer is intended. The phrase is most effective when the specific timing of midsummer is relevant to the contrast being drawn.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but in midsummer" functions as a conjunctional phrase that introduces a contrast related to a specific time within the summer season. It sets up an expectation based on the general understanding of midsummer and then presents a contrasting element. As Ludwig AI points out, this follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but in midsummer" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's employed to introduce a contrast that's specific to the midsummer period. This phrase is relatively rare but appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. When using "but in midsummer", ensure that the contrast is genuinely linked to the midsummer timeframe, not just a general summer reference. Alternatives like "yet in midsummer" or "however in midsummer" can provide similar meanings with slight tonal variations. Keep in mind that according to Ludwig AI, the frequency of use is rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet in midsummer

Replaces "but" with "yet", maintaining the contrast while slightly altering the tone.

however in midsummer

Substitutes "but" with "however", providing a more formal conjunction to express contrast.

though in midsummer

Replaces "but" with "though", which also indicates a contrast but can sometimes imply a concession.

in midsummer nevertheless

Moves "nevertheless" to the end of the phrase for emphasis, highlighting the contrast.

in the height of summer though

Replaces "midsummer" with "the height of summer" and "but" with "though", changing both the temporal reference and the conjunction.

despite the midsummer heat

Focuses on the characteristic heat of midsummer, creating a contrast based on that expectation.

even during midsummer

Emphasizes that something occurs "even" at this particular time, indicating a potential surprise or exception.

contrary to midsummer expectations

Highlights a situation that goes against what is typically expected during midsummer.

notwithstanding midsummer

Uses "notwithstanding" to indicate that something happens despite the circumstances of midsummer.

in spite of midsummer

Indicates that an event happens regardless of the conditions or expectations associated with midsummer.

FAQs

How can I use "but in midsummer" in a sentence?

The phrase "but in midsummer" is used to introduce a contrast related to the specific time of midsummer. For example, "The days are long, but "but in midsummer", the nights can still be surprisingly cool."

What is an alternative to saying "but in midsummer"?

Alternatives include "yet in midsummer", "however in midsummer", or phrases like "despite the midsummer heat" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "but in the midsummer" instead of "but in midsummer"?

While not strictly incorrect, "but in midsummer" is more common and idiomatic. The inclusion of "the" is unnecessary and can make the phrase sound slightly awkward.

What is the difference between "but in midsummer" and "but during summer"?

"But in midsummer" refers specifically to the middle of the summer season, whereas "but during summer" is a more general reference to the entire summer period. The former is more precise and emphasizes a specific time.