in the middle of may

USAGE SUMMARY

'in the middle of May' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when referring to a specific time period in the month of May. For example: "I am going on vacation in the middle of May."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now, in the middle of May as the Preakness Stakes was looming, no one was talking about either of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Gelb said any risk created by problems at nuclear reactors would be fully evaluated "before the advance team is scheduled to depart in the middle of May".

The New York Times - Arts

In the middle of May his associate Alexander Macklin, who was in Canada negotiating the purchase of dogs, received a telegram notifying him that the destination was now to be the Antarctic; a varied programme of exploration, coastal mapping, mineral prospecting and oceanographic research in southern waters had been substituted for the Beaufort Sea venture.

Wikipedia

The man, who said he worked as a musician and bartender, handed them the keys in the middle of May and agreed upon a May 29 move-in date.

The New York Times

Leaf initiation starts in the middle of May (136.0), leaf expansion at the end of May 146.00), and senescence in the middle of January 15.955).

Ecological Processes

Apparently disenchanted by McDonnell Douglas's continuing troubles, one of its largest institutional shareholders, the Magellan Fund, started selling big chunks of the stock in the middle of May, including a 500,000-share block on May 14, traders said.

The New York Times

"Not in the middle of May.

The New York Times - Sports

Consider what happened across North America on a weekend in the middle of May.

The New Yorker

That compares with a net of 77 in the middle of May.

The New York Times

"In the middle of May we have Dan Brown's Inferno coming".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The object of this passion, Claire Marvel, is standing on the steps of the Fogg Art Museum in the middle of May , 1985 holding a yellow umbrella against a ferocious rainstorm, when she meets the narrator, Julian Rose.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the middle of may" to indicate a time frame that is neither at the beginning nor the end of the month. It's suitable for general planning or estimations where precision is not crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "at" instead of "in" with the phrase, as "at the middle of may" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition is "in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the middle of may" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event or action takes place. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase modifies verbs by providing a specific timeframe. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the middle of may" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread applicability across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Academic writing. For more concise alternatives, consider phrases like "mid-may" or "around mid-may". Remember to use "in" rather than "at" with this phrase, and clarify the intended timeframe when precision is required. This phrase offers a practical way to specify a period during the month of May without needing an exact date.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mid-may

Uses a hyphenated adjective form for brevity.

around mid-may

Adds a degree of approximation to the timing.

approximately mid-may

Similar to "around mid-may", but uses a more formal adverb.

in mid-may

Omits "the middle of" for a more concise expression.

during the may midpoint

Replaces "middle" with "midpoint", using a noun.

midway through may

Emphasizes the progression through the month.

the may interim

Uses a more formal synonym for the middle period.

in the heart of may

Employs a more figurative and evocative expression.

about halfway through may

Specifies the approximate position in the month.

the central part of may

Uses a more descriptive but less common phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "in the middle of may" in a sentence?

You can use "in the middle of may" to refer to a period within the month. For example, "The conference is scheduled to take place "in the middle of may"."

What is a more concise way to say "in the middle of may"?

A shorter alternative to "in the middle of may" is "mid-may". This option is more succinct while retaining the same meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "in the middle of may" or "in may"?

Using "in may" refers to the entire month, whereas "in the middle of may" refers to a specific timeframe within that month. The more appropriate choice depends on the level of specificity required.

What are some related phrases that indicate a similar timeframe as "in the middle of may"?

Some related phrases include "around mid-may", "approximately mid-may", or "during the may midpoint". These alternatives offer slight variations in formality and emphasis.