half past five

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half past five" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the time, specifically 5:30. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for half past five, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

At about half past five, Trump's motorcade arrived.

The New Yorker

The baby, a boy, is born at half past five in the morning.

The New Yorker

And then, at half past five, he would go home with her.

The New Yorker

It was all going perfectly well until half past five on Thursday evening.

Independent

But the light deteriorated and the day was terminated just before half past five.

The Guardian - Sport

"I can't stay in bed in the morning after half past five," she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | FridayFridayIT'S half past seven in the morning.

The Economist

HALF past ten on a Saturday night, and outdoor tellies are blaring.

The Economist

Half-past five arrived.

The Guardian - Books

If I go to bed fairly early I'll be awake at about half-past five.

The Times

While Signorina Liona was absent, about half-past five, a well-dressed young man called and asked to speak to her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half past five" ensure your audience understands the 12-hour clock format. It might not be clear for international audiences or those more accustomed to the 24-hour clock.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying AM or PM if the context doesn't clearly indicate whether you're referring to "half past five" in the morning or evening. If unsure, use "5:30 AM/PM" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half past five" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a specific time. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when an event occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half past five" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for indicating the time 5:30. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, making it a versatile phrase for scheduling events, describing routines, or narrating events. While generally neutral in register, specifying AM or PM is crucial for avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "five thirty" or "5:30" may offer more clarity in certain situations. The sources, verified through Ludwig, confirm its consistent and authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

five thirty

Uses a numerical representation of the time instead of a verbal expression.

5:30

Represents the time using a digital clock format.

thirty minutes past five

A more descriptive and slightly more formal way to express the same time.

five and a half

A colloquial way to refer to the time, implying 'half past five'.

half an hour after five

Emphasizes the duration after the hour of five.

end of the fifth hour

A less common, more academic way to say 5:30.

late afternoon

Indicates the general time of day around 5:30, without specifying the exact time.

around 5:30 pm

Indicates an approximate time near 5:30 pm.

between five and six

Refers to the time frame that includes half past five.

approaching six o'clock

Suggests the time is near 5:30 pm and moving towards 6:00 pm.

FAQs

How do I use "half past five" in a sentence?

You can use "half past five" to indicate a time, for example, "The meeting will begin at half past five." or "I usually finish work around "half past five"".

What are some alternatives to saying "half past five"?

Alternatives include "five thirty" or "5:30 PM/AM", depending on the context. "Thirty minutes past five" is a more formal option.

Is "half past five" AM or PM?

"Half past five" can be either AM or PM, depending on the context. Specify AM or PM for clarity (e.g., "half past five in the morning" or "half past five in the evening"), or use "5:30 AM" or "5:30 PM".

Is it correct to say "quarter past five" or "half past five"?

Both are correct. "Quarter past five" means 5:15, while "half past five" means 5:30. These are standard ways to express time in English.