later afternoon

USAGE SUMMARY

"later afternoon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the later part of the afternoon, usually after midday but before the evening. Example Sentence: I plan to finish my project in the later afternoon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The winds increases during the day, choose mid morning or later afternoon to get wet.

WikiHow

By later afternoon, Trafalgar Square was sealed off with protesters surrounded by a police cordon.

The Guardian

A first round of tornadoes crossed from Mississippi into Alabama about noon on Wednesday, and a second, more deadly series of them hit the northern half of the state in the later afternoon and early evening.

The New York Times

As parts of the vessel emerged in the later afternoon on Monday, discolored and rusting, from the waters where the Concordia had languished, listing on its side, engineers said the operation would most likely take longer than initially planned.

The New York Times

"I don't want to make them larger than life, but they are a great team," said Coach Rick Majerus of Utah (23-8), willh will play the Spartans in the later afternoon game.

The New York Times - Sports

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs partly in daylight and partly after nightfall; the Malaysian Grand Prix opted for a later afternoon start but without artificial lighting; and the promoters in Bahrain announced this month that they intend to run their race at night next year, after installing a lighting system.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Festival later that evening.

The New Yorker

The answer came later that evening.

Independent

He was pronounced dead later that evening.

The New York Times

Later that evening, they stormed the Rada.

The New Yorker

"Like later tonight".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "later afternoon" to specify a time frame within the afternoon, typically after 3 PM, when precision is needed but an exact time is not required.

Common error

Be mindful of the transition between "later afternoon" and early evening. While the terms can overlap, ensure that the context aligns with activities or conditions characteristic of the late afternoon rather than the evening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later afternoon" functions as a temporal adverbial, specifying when an event or activity takes place. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later afternoon" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the latter part of the afternoon. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable for written English. It is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember that "later afternoon" is distinct from "early evening", though they can sometimes overlap. Using alternatives like "late afternoon" or "toward the end of the afternoon" can add variety to your writing. The phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late afternoon

This alternative simply omits the word 'later' while retaining the core meaning.

the latter part of the afternoon

This alternative emphasizes that it is the second half of the afternoon being referenced.

late in the afternoon

This alternative adds a preposition for emphasis, indicating a nuanced difference in phrasing.

toward the end of the afternoon

This phrase provides a more descriptive and elaborate way to express the same timeframe.

early evening

This refers to the time immediately following the "later afternoon", indicating a slightly different part of the day.

end of the day

This broader term encompasses the "later afternoon" but can also include the evening.

as the afternoon progresses

This refers to a continuous passage of time within the afternoon period.

subsequent afternoon

This indicates the next afternoon in a series of afternoons.

dusk

This refers specifically to the transition period from day to night, which may occur during the "later afternoon".

twilight

Similar to dusk, this describes the period when the sun is below the horizon, marking the end of the afternoon.

FAQs

How can I use "later afternoon" in a sentence?

You can use "later afternoon" to specify a timeframe within the afternoon, such as, "The meeting is scheduled for the "later afternoon", around 4 PM".

What phrases are similar to "later afternoon"?

Alternatives include "late afternoon", "early evening", or "toward the end of the afternoon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "later afternoon" formal or informal?

"Later afternoon" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "later afternoon" and "early evening"?

"Later afternoon" refers to the latter part of the afternoon, typically before sunset, while "early evening" signifies the beginning of the evening period, often around sunset. The distinction can be subtle and context-dependent.