by midday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by midday" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a specific time before or around 12:00 pm, and can be used in a variety of contexts. Example: The project must be completed by midday tomorrow. In this sentence, "by midday" indicates that the project needs to be finished before noon the following day. This phrase could also be used in a sentence like "I have a doctor's appointment by midday, so I'll be free to meet after that." In this case, "by midday" implies that the person's appointment will be over by noon, and they will be available to meet afterwards.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

By midday, few people can be seen.

Independent

By midday, temperatures were rising under canvas.

Independent

By midday, the reddish cloud had gone.

The New Yorker

By midday, Mr. ElBaradei had resigned.

The New York Times

By midday you've lost Sunday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Home Delivery: Normal by midday today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"By that evening.

Independent

By noon, maybe 115.

The New York Times

"We sold out by noon".

The New Yorker

By noon, disaster had struck.

The New York Times

He is home by evening.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by midday" when setting deadlines or describing events that need to occur before or at 12:00 PM. It provides a clear timeframe for expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "at midday" when "by midday" is more appropriate. "At midday" refers to a specific point in time (12:00 PM), while "by midday" indicates any time leading up to and including that point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by midday" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies a time limit or deadline, indicating that an action must be completed before or at 12:00 PM. Ludwig confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by midday" serves as a versatile adverbial phrase, functioning to set a time constraint or deadline that falls before or at 12:00 PM. As Ludwig demonstrates, its grammatical structure is correct and it is commonly employed across diverse registers and contexts. The phrase is most prevalent in News & Media, followed by Academia and Formal & Business. For clear communication, it's important to differentiate it from "at midday", which refers specifically to the time of 12:00 PM. Considering what Ludwig AI said the phrase is definitely a valuable tool for precise temporal indication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by noon

Indicates the latest time something can occur, focusing specifically on 12:00 PM.

before midday

Emphasizes that the event happens at any point leading up to 12:00 PM, rather than around it.

by 12 pm

Specifies the exact deadline in a more formal time notation.

around midday

Suggests the event happens close to 12:00 PM, allowing for a bit of flexibility.

near midday

Similar to "around midday", implying that the action occurs close to noon.

by lunchtime

Relates the timeframe to the common meal break, offering a less precise measure of time.

by the middle of the day

Offers a more descriptive and less precise indicator of timing.

no later than midday

Emphasizes the deadline aspect, stressing that it cannot occur after 12:00 PM.

prior to midday

A more formal way of saying "before midday", indicating something must happen before noon.

earlier than midday

Highlights the necessity of something occurring before the specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "by midday" in a sentence?

You can use "by midday" to set a deadline or describe an event that occurs before noon. For example, "Please submit your reports "by midday" tomorrow" or "The package should arrive "by midday".

What is a synonym for "by midday"?

A synonym for "by midday" is "by noon". Both phrases indicate a timeframe before or at 12:00 PM.

What's the difference between "by midday" and "at midday"?

"By midday" indicates any time leading up to and including 12:00 PM, while "at midday" refers specifically to 12:00 PM. Use "by midday" for deadlines and "at midday" for specific events occurring exactly at noon.

Is it correct to say "until midday" instead of "by midday"?

While "until midday" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning than "by midday". "Until midday" indicates a duration up to 12:00 PM, whereas "by midday" sets a deadline or occurrence before or at that time. They are not interchangeable.