on afternoons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on afternoons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to activities or events that take place during the afternoon hours. Example: "I usually go for a walk on afternoons when the weather is nice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Prior to the change in demographics, at one apartment complex, Napoleon Square, residents socialized at the swimming pools on afternoons.

Wikipedia

Mushers worried about keeping their teams healthy on afternoons so warm and sunny that dogs vomited from overheating.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes on afternoons like this I found an excuse to get left behind by the others just to savor the lonesomeness.

The New York Times - Travel

She went to a girls' school in the mornings, but worked at the store on afternoons and evenings, running errands in pants and a baseball hat, she said.

The New York Times

And on afternoons spent shopping, Mr. Hatsakorzian, who speaks seven languages, finds that he is able to converse in three or four of them.

The New York Times

Even Dr. Garris's clinic in the capital, Santo Domingo, is hardly enough for the 2,000 patients on its rolls, and it is open only on afternoons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

On one afternoon we did 27 in two hours 40".

The Guardian

Residents came home to find their back doors had been kicked in on sunny afternoons.

The New York Times

Last week, Nihal Arthanayake started as one half of the presenting team on Afternoon Edition, partnering Sarah Brett.

The Guardian

Lunching there on afternoon last month with four other men, Mr. Frozi declined to talk to a reporter.

The New York Times

Despite anecdotal claims of adverse effects of larger lunches on afternoon driving ability, there is little actual driving data to support this belief.

Physiology & Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific instance or event that occurs during an afternoon, using "on" can be appropriate, particularly when emphasizing the day. However, consider whether "in the afternoon" sounds more natural in broader contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "on afternoons" when "in the afternoons" or simply "afternoons" would be more idiomatic. Overusing "on" can make your writing sound slightly unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on afternoons" typically functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb by specifying when an action takes place. It indicates the time during which an event occurs, though often less commonly than alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, even if less frequent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on afternoons" is grammatically sound, though less common than alternatives like "in the afternoons". Ludwig confirms its correct usage, but also highlights that it is less frequent. This phrase functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying when actions occur, and carries a generally neutral tone. While acceptable, writers should be mindful of context and consider whether alternative phrasings might enhance clarity and naturalness. Key considerations involve preferring "in the afternoons" for general time references and reserving "on afternoons" for emphasis or specific instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during afternoons

Replaces the preposition "on" with "during", emphasizing the time period.

in the afternoons

Uses "in the" instead of "on", a more common and natural phrasing for general time periods.

afternoons

Omits the preposition "on", implying a habitual occurrence in the afternoons.

each afternoon

Emphasizes that the action happens every afternoon.

throughout the afternoons

Highlights a continuous action happening during the afternoons.

on some afternoons

Specifies that the action happens only on certain afternoons.

during the course of the afternoons

A more formal and elaborated way of saying "during afternoons".

on specific afternoons

Emphasizes particular afternoons when something happens.

certain afternoons

Similar to "on specific afternoons", highlighting select afternoons.

upon afternoons

Uses a more formal preposition, "upon", instead of "on".

FAQs

Is it more common to say "on afternoons" or "in the afternoons"?

While "on afternoons" is grammatically correct, "in the afternoons" is generally more common and sounds more natural in most contexts. Consider using "in the afternoons" for broader or habitual actions.

When is it appropriate to use "on afternoons"?

You can use "on afternoons" when you want to emphasize a specific day or a particular instance. However, it's often stylistically preferable to use "in the afternoon" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "on afternoons"?

Alternatives include "in the afternoon", "during the afternoon", or simply "afternoons" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How can I make my writing sound more natural when referring to afternoons?

To sound more natural, prefer "in the afternoons" or just "afternoons" when discussing general habits or occurrences. Use "on afternoons" sparingly and consider if a rephrasing would improve the flow of your sentence.