middle of May

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "middle of May" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time frame during the month of May, typically around the 15th to the 20th. Example: "We are planning to launch the new product in the middle of May."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

From the middle of May, when voting began, to May 29, Mr. Dewhurst's numbers got worse.

The New York Times

It was around the middle of May.

The New York Times

Best blooming through middle of May.

The New York Times - Travel

"Not in the middle of May.

The New York Times - Sports

Paul O'Neill has been absent since the middle of May.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times

Moreover, Obama's public approval numbers have been on a downward trend since the middle of May.

The Guardian - Opinion

He remained from the middle of May to the end of the first week in July.

The New Yorker

By the middle of May, he was back on the farm.

The New York Times - Sports

By the middle of May, tension had increased as the news from Madrid became more threatening.

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "mid-May" as a more concise alternative, especially in situations where brevity is preferred.

Common error

Avoid assuming "middle of May" refers to the very precise middle of the month (May 15th). It generally represents a period around the middle, typically spanning from the 10th to the 20th.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "middle of May" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurs or is expected to occur. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "middle of May" is a common and grammatically sound way to reference a period around the 15th of May. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "mid-May" offer brevity, "middle of May" provides a slightly more descriptive timeframe. When using the phrase, remember it indicates a general period rather than a precise date, typically spanning from the 10th to the 20th of May.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mid-May

A shorter, more concise way to express the same time frame.

around mid-May

Indicates an approximate time, providing a slightly less precise timeframe.

the center of May

Rephrases using "center" instead of "middle", maintaining the same meaning.

approximately mid-May

Similar to "around mid-May", adding emphasis on the approximation.

the midpoint of May

Uses "midpoint" as a synonym for "middle", indicating the central part of the month.

mid-part of May

Uses "mid-part" instead of "middle", a less common but understandable variation.

the heart of May

A more figurative expression, suggesting the peak or central point of May.

middle two weeks of May

Expresses timeframe as middle two weeks

from the 10th to the 20th of May

Specifies the time frame more precisely.

halfway through May

Indicates the time when May is at its halfway point.

FAQs

How can I use "middle of May" in a sentence?

You can use "middle of May" to indicate a period around the 15th of May. For example, "The project is expected to be completed in the middle of May."

What's a shorter way to say "middle of May"?

A shorter alternative is "mid-May", which is commonly used and easily understood.

Is it more appropriate to say "in mid-May" or "in the middle of May"?

Both "in mid-May" and "in the middle of May" are correct, but "mid-May" is more concise and often preferred in writing.

What does "around the middle of May" mean?

"Around the middle of May" means approximately during the "mid-May" timeframe, suggesting the period may be a few days before or after the 15th.