Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it was pm
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it was pm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the time of day, specifically referring to the period after noon and before midnight. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM, but it was PM when I arrived."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
it was getting late
it was afternoon
it was lunch
it was late afternoon
it was midday
it is afternoon
it was hour
it was sometime after noon
it was past lunchtime
it was dinner
it was hi
it was closed
it was wednesday morning
it was getting late in the day
it was foiled
it was night
it was hello
it was evening
the afternoon had arrived
it was lunchtime
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
It was PM Netanyahu who displayed enough diplomatic acumen and his office dismissed the hot air originating from the Foreign Ministry office.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Now it is PM's and ozone's turns to be reduced.
Who will do whatever it takes to be PM?
News & Media
I think it was British PM Harold Macmillan who famously revealed what prime ministers always fear most.
News & Media
It was five PM.
News & Media
Follow KaytlIt Bailey on Twaster.
News & Media
It was 1 PM.
News & Media
Finally it was 8 PM.
News & Media
It was 5 30 pm, dark and everything was dirty orange.
News & Media
Then it was 2 PM and everything stopped.
News & Media
It was 7 30 PM; the night had begun.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "it was pm", ensure the context provides sufficient clarity about the specific time you are referencing. If exactness is needed, specify the hour (e.g., "It was 3 pm").
Common error
Avoid vagueness by including the specific hour when using "it was pm". Saying just "it was pm" can leave the reader guessing.
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it was pm" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase specifying the time of day. It provides temporal context, indicating that an event occurred during the afternoon or evening. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for indicating the time.
Frequent in
News & Media
66.67%
Science
33.33%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "it was pm" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something occurred in the afternoon or evening. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources reveals its common usage in news and media, though it's less frequent in formal academic settings. For improved clarity, including the specific hour (e.g., "it was 3 pm") is recommended. Although the phrase is acceptable, context is important to avoid vagueness. When precision isn't crucial, it serves as a good temporal marker. Consider alternatives like "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" for broader time references.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
the time was pm
Rephrases the sentence to emphasize "the time" as the subject.
it was sometime pm
Indicates an unspecified time in the afternoon or evening.
it was in the afternoon
Specifies the time of day more broadly, without indicating a specific hour.
it was in the evening
Refers to a later time of day, typically after 6 pm.
it was after noon
Indicates that the time was past midday, without specifying a particular hour.
it was past midday
Similar to "it was after noon", focusing on the transition from morning.
the afternoon had begun
Implies the start of the afternoon period.
pm had arrived
Describes the arrival of the afternoon or evening period.
evening approached
Suggests the transition to the evening period.
it was getting late
Indicates that the time was advancing towards the evening.
FAQs
How do I properly use "it was pm" in a sentence?
Use "it was pm" to generally indicate something occurred during the afternoon or evening. For example, "The sun began to set, and "it was pm"."
What's a more precise way to say "it was pm"?
For greater precision, specify the hour, such as "it was 3 pm" or "it was 7 pm".
Are there other ways to indicate time without using "it was pm"?
Yes, you can use phrases like "in the afternoon", "in the evening", or "after midday" to convey a similar meaning.
Is it grammatically correct to just say "it was pm" without specifying the hour?
While grammatically correct, saying only "it was pm" may lack clarity. It's better to include the hour unless the context makes it obvious.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested