it was midday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was midday" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the time of day, specifically when the sun is at its highest point, typically around noon. Example: "As I walked through the park, I noticed that it was midday, and the sun was shining brightly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There we are, pointing out the… It was midday before we noticed it was morning.

The New Yorker

It can be scheduled for early morning.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

It was midday, but inside Marquee, it could have been 2 a.m.

The New York Times

It was midday before we noticed it was morning.

The New Yorker

Fallows said it appeared to take place in full sunlight, with shadows suggesting it was midday.

Wikipedia

It was midday, hot.

The New Yorker

It was midday and we were exhausted.

The New York Times - Travel

It was midday, and the 90-degree heat lay like a blanket over the forest.

The New York Times - Travel

It was midday again, and the houses nearby were working-class split-levels.

The New Yorker

When we looked at the house it was midday, and the traffic wasn't running that much.

The New York Times

It was midday, but since refugees in Jordan are largely forbidden from working, their time is something to be filled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When greater precision is needed, consider specifying the exact time (e.g., "it was 12:00 PM") or using "around noon" if an approximate time is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "it was midday" when referring to any time between morning and evening; "midday" specifically refers to noon or the time around it. Using it loosely can create confusion about the actual time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was midday" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating time. It sets the temporal context within a narrative or description, specifying that an event occurred around noon. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but no exact examples were found, suggesting potential infrequent usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was midday" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered phrase used to denote the time around noon. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness, even though no exact matches were available. While no real-world examples are found in the provided data, indicating a potential rarity, its function is to precisely set a temporal context. Alternatives include "it was noon" or specifying the time (e.g., 12:00 PM). When using this phrase, writers should ensure that "midday" accurately reflects the intended time to avoid misinterpretation. Be aware midday does not refer to "afternoon".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was noon

Replaces "midday" with its direct synonym, maintaining the exact meaning.

It was around noon

Indicates an approximate time, softening the precision of "midday".

It was twelve o'clock

Specifies the exact hour, offering a more precise alternative.

It was the middle of the day

Rephrases "midday" using a descriptive phrase, conveying the same time frame.

The time was midday

Changes the sentence structure while preserving the core meaning.

It was approximately midday

Adds a qualifier to indicate an estimation of the time.

It was getting on for midday

Suggests that the time was approaching midday.

The sun was at its zenith

Describes midday indirectly by referencing the sun's position.

It was the height of the day

Uses a metaphorical expression to refer to midday.

It was broad daylight

Indicates that it was the brightest part of the day, around midday.

FAQs

How can I use "it was midday" in a sentence?

You can use "it was midday" to describe a specific point in time, typically around noon, such as, "It was midday when the sun was directly overhead."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was midday"?

Alternatives include "it was noon", "it was around noon", or "it was twelve o'clock", depending on the desired level of precision.

Is it correct to say "it was mid-day" with a hyphen?

While "mid-day" is sometimes used, "midday" (without a hyphen) is the more common and preferred form, especially in formal writing. Therefore, "it was midday" is generally considered more appropriate.

What's the difference between "it was midday" and "it was afternoon"?

"It was midday" specifically refers to noon, while "it was afternoon" refers to the time period after noon and before evening. Midday is a precise moment; afternoon is a broader span of time.