close to midnight

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to midnight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about the time just before midnight. For example: I got home close to midnight after a late night out with friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But close to midnight on Sunday, her time ran out.

The New York Times

A few weeks later, close to midnight on a Tuesday, a mysterious e-mail arrived.

The New York Times

Warplanes continued to hover over the city close to midnight, according to residents and activist groups.

The New York Times

The replies were due by Friday, and Facebook submitted them close to midnight.

The Washington Post

As I arrived at the Majestic, it was perilously close to midnight.

The New York Times - Magazine

As natural for some, though not many, as returning calls close to midnight ahead of an international.

The Guardian - Sport

At Concern headquarters in Islamabad, all of us work to close to midnight every day.

Huffington Post

The kids had gone to bed close to midnight the night before.

The New York Times

It was now close to midnight, and the Lawrences had to catch a 7 A.M. flight the next morning.

The New Yorker

It was close to midnight.

The New York Times

It's close to midnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events happening "close to midnight", consider the cultural connotations associated with this time, such as endings, beginnings, or the supernatural.

Common error

Don't use "close to midnight" in contexts where a precise time is needed. It indicates an approximation, not an exact moment, use it when a general timeframe suffices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to midnight" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying the time an action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It indicates a timeframe around the end of the day.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Lifestyle

5%

Travel

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to midnight" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a time nearing midnight. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for general use, particularly in descriptive writing and news reporting. While "close to midnight" lacks the precision for technical contexts, it’s useful for giving readers a sense of time. The most authoritative sources that employ this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post. Consider alternatives like "almost midnight" or "around midnight" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing midnight

Emphasizes the approach to midnight.

almost midnight

Directly states that the time is very near midnight.

around midnight

Indicates a time approximately at midnight.

late at night

More general, referring to any time late in the evening.

at a late hour

Formal way of saying late at night.

towards the witching hour

More figurative, suggesting a mysterious or eerie late-night time.

in the wee hours

Refers to the very early hours of the morning, just after midnight.

getting late

A common expression that time is moving close to the end of the day.

as night deepened

A literary way to indicate the lateness of the hour.

when darkness was near

This alternative focuses on the darkness of night.

FAQs

How can I use "close to midnight" in a sentence?

You can use "close to midnight" to describe events occurring near midnight, such as "The meeting concluded "close to midnight"" or "She arrived home "close to midnight" after the party".

What are some alternatives to "close to midnight"?

Some alternatives include "almost midnight", "around midnight", or "late at night". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it more appropriate to say "near midnight" or "close to midnight"?

Both "near midnight" and "close to midnight" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the specific flow of your writing.

Does "close to midnight" always imply a specific range of time?

While not precise, "close to midnight" generally suggests a period within an hour or two of midnight. The exact interpretation can vary based on context.