close of business

USAGE SUMMARY

"close of business" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing the end of the workday. For example, you might say, "I need this report on my desk by close of business today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"By the close of business it should be done".

The New York Times

The deadline is by the close of business on Friday.

The New York Times

The deadline to file was by the close of business on Friday.

The New York Times

The offer is valid until the close of business on Monday.

The New York Times

You have until the close of business on Wednesday, Feb. 29.

The New York Times

The league's fate should be clearer by the close of business Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

At the close of business on Monday, we will tally the 10 most popular name pairs.

The New York Times

The Knicks had until the close of business Thursday to make the qualifying offer.

The New York Times

You must submit your online application by close of business Pacific Standard Time.

University of California, Berkeley

Applicants will receive their decision by close of business (5:00p.m. ET) on the decision date.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The close-of-business on Monday, December 5 is the deadline to file those petitions with the county clerk.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close of business", ensure you specify the timezone if communicating across different regions to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "close of business" always means 5:00 PM. Specify a time if precision is needed, as it can vary between companies and regions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close of business" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating a time limit or deadline. Ludwig shows it being used to specify when a task needs to be completed or when an offer expires.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “close of business” is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the end of a workday, frequently employed to set deadlines. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is suitable for professional contexts and helps convey urgency. While it’s widely used, remember that "close of business" can vary depending on the company or region, making it crucial to clarify specific times when precision is necessary. Related phrases include ""end of the business day"" and "end of work hours", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end of the business day

Replaces "close" with "end", emphasizing the termination of the workday.

business day's end

Rearranges the phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

end of work hours

Focuses on the cessation of working hours rather than business specifically.

official quitting time

More informal and emphasizes the time when work is officially over.

end of trading day

Specifically refers to the end of trading activities in financial markets.

cutoff time

Highlights the deadline aspect, implying a final point for accepting submissions or actions.

deadline

A single word referring to the final time something must be completed.

end of operations

Emphasizes the cessation of all operational activities.

day's conclusion

A more general term for the end of the day, applicable in various contexts.

end of shift

Refers to the end of a specific work shift, rather than the entire business day.

FAQs

How to use "close of business" in a sentence?

You can use "close of business" to set a deadline. For example, "Please submit your reports by "end of the business day" tomorrow."

What's a more formal alternative to "close of business"?

A more formal alternative is ""end of the business day"". It conveys the same meaning in a professional context.

What does "close of business" usually mean?

"Close of business" typically refers to the end of the standard working day, but it's best to clarify the exact time if necessary to avoid misunderstandings.

Is it appropriate to use "close of business" in casual communication?

While "close of business" is generally suitable for professional contexts, in casual communication, you might opt for a simpler phrase like "end of work hours" or "end of the day".