one afternoon

USAGE SUMMARY

"one afternoon" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it as part of any sentence where you want to refer to a specific afternoon. For example: "I went to the beach one afternoon last week and had a wonderful time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

One morning, my phone rang.

The New York Times

One afternoon you skipped school.

The New Yorker

One afternoon stands out in my mind.

The New Yorker

One afternoon, Kim stopped to visit.

The New Yorker

One afternoon, Roddy asked where I lived.

The New Yorker

One afternoon my aunt and I.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

On one night.

TechCrunch

One night, Eureka!

The Guardian

One night, huh.

The Guardian - Books

One morning we awaken.

The New Yorker

One night only.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one afternoon" to set a scene or introduce a specific event that occurred on a particular afternoon. This phrase works well to begin a narrative or recount a personal experience.

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses within the same sentence or paragraph when using "one afternoon". Ensure that the tense remains consistent to maintain clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one afternoon" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurred. According to Ludwig, it's a perfectly acceptable construction in English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one afternoon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a specific instance in time occurring during the afternoon. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to set a temporal scene and introduce narratives. While versatile, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using the phrase, it's important to maintain tense consistency for clarity. Alternatives such as "a certain afternoon" or "during an afternoon" can be used for stylistic variation. Ludwig's examples showcase its wide applicability in storytelling and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a certain afternoon

This alternative emphasizes the specificity of the afternoon in question, similar to the original phrase.

on a particular afternoon

This phrase highlights that the afternoon being referred to is distinct and noteworthy.

one specific afternoon

Adding "specific" reinforces that the afternoon is not just any afternoon, but a defined one.

during an afternoon

This alternative is a more general way of saying something happened at some point in the afternoon.

on an afternoon

Similar to "during an afternoon", but slightly more direct.

some afternoon

This phrase implies the afternoon is vaguely remembered or not particularly significant.

a day in the afternoon

This option is a bit more verbose, specifying a day and then narrowing it down to the afternoon.

a single afternoon

Emphasizes that the event happened only on one afternoon, highlighting its uniqueness.

later that day

This phrase indicates a time later on the same day, providing a temporal relationship to a previous event.

subsequently that day

This is a more formal way of saying "later that day", indicating a sequence of events.

FAQs

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

"One afternoon" is used to introduce a specific point in time during the afternoon. For example, "One afternoon, I decided to visit the museum".

What are some alternatives to using "one afternoon"?

You can use alternatives like "a certain afternoon", "on a particular afternoon", or "during an afternoon" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in one afternoon" instead of "one afternoon"?

While grammatically possible, "in one afternoon" is less common. "One afternoon" is generally preferred to introduce a narrative or event. Consider using it when describing the time it takes to do something: "I finished the painting in one afternoon".

What's the difference between "one afternoon" and "one evening"?

"One afternoon" refers to a specific time between noon and sunset, while "one evening" refers to a specific time between sunset and night. They denote different times of day.