middle of december

USAGE SUMMARY

"middle of December" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time halfway through the month of December. For example, "I'm planning to take a vacation in the middle of December this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But by the middle of December, Doorways was way behind.

The Washington Post

In the middle of December, the city experienced some peculiar pianist behavior.

The New Yorker

"Why is the speaker doing this in the middle of December?" Mr. Allon said.

The New York Times

Winter sets in slowly and lasts from the middle of December to the middle of March.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ignore the plants from the middle of December to early spring.

The New York Times

Even in the middle of December, the town is thick with mist.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

During a period of about five weeks, from the middle of November to the middle of December 2004, a total of 719 Norwegian Crossbred ewes were inseminated artificially.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

It's the middle of March now.

The New Yorker

It was the middle of June.

The New York Times

It was around the middle of May.

The New York Times

But from the middle of June until the middle of August, we adjust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, especially in international contexts, clarify whether you mean the first half of December or the days around the 15th.

Common error

Avoid assuming "middle of december" implies events must occur strictly on December 15th. It typically suggests a timeframe within a week or two of that date, not necessarily that exact day.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "middle of december" functions primarily as a temporal specifier, indicating a period roughly halfway through the month of December. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "middle of december" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the period around the 15th of December. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile, it's best practice to specify the year and be mindful of potential ambiguities in international contexts. For those seeking similar expressions, alternatives like "mid-december" or "around the middle of december" offer slight variations in formality and precision. Remember, "middle of december" serves as a general temporal marker, and it is crucial to avoid interpreting it too rigidly. In essence, while "middle of december" is acceptable in both formal and informal communication, you may wish to be more specific in some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mid-december

This is a shorter, hyphenated form of the original phrase.

around the middle of december

Adds a degree of approximation to the time frame.

the second week of december

Specifies the time frame using a week-based reference.

mid-december period

Emphasizes that it's a duration of time rather than a specific point.

approximately mid-december

Similar to 'around the middle', indicating an estimated time.

the heart of december

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate the central part of the month.

the midpoint of december

A more formal and precise way of saying the same thing.

during the second half of december

Shifts the timeframe to include the latter part of the middle.

in the thick of december

Uses 'thick' to suggest being deeply immersed within that time.

the central part of december

Replaces 'middle' with 'central part' for a slight variation in wording.

FAQs

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

You can use "middle of december" to refer to a time approximately halfway through the month. For example: "The project is expected to be completed by the "middle of december".".

What phrases are similar to "middle of december"?

Similar phrases include "mid-december", "around the middle of december", or "second week of december".

Is it more formal to say "mid-december" or "middle of december"?

While both are acceptable, "middle of december" is slightly more formal. "Mid-december" is a more concise and commonly used alternative.

What should I keep in mind when using "middle of december" in writing?

Ensure the context clearly defines what timeframe you are referring to, as "middle of december" can be interpreted slightly differently. Specify the year for added clarity.