outside of business hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"outside of business hours" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a time outside of the hours specified for conducting business. For example, "The bank is closed outside of business hours, so it is not possible to make transactions on weekends".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

No wonder a survey found 80% of employers find it perfectly appropriate to contact workers outside of business hours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the advent of electronic banking improved access to cash outside of business hours, such transactions were typically restricted by amount or frequency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Senators reintroduced legislation that would require greater transparency of financial links between doctors and device companies, and one firm has gone as far to bar its salespeople from lobbying doctors outside of "business hours" at a major industry convention.

The New York Times

Does proofreading gratuitously outside of business hours, makes notes and writes the author concerning misprints, editorial lapses, and the other minor inconsistences which appear in his or her book.

The New Yorker

Because the state owns the acre of land that the house sits on, no members of the public have been able to enter it outside of business hours since Mr. Wright moved out, and even members of the historical society have not had access since the flooding.

The New York Times

We submitted our proposal for the May 2003 deadline, after several weeks of intensive work, mostly outside of business hours in order to take maximum advantage of antipodal time zones.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The program was offered out of business hours in some Divisions.

BMC Health Services Research

"Work parties" are ostensibly social events that takes place with those you work with, either outside of the office or outside of normal business hours, for which you are not being paid to attend, because it's optional at attend.

Vice

It allows our attorneys to advance while working a more flexible schedule that may include reduced hours, working outside of normal business hours and working outside of the office, so long as they maintain the highest levels of work quality and client service our firm requires of all of our lawyers.

Huffington Post

Information anxiety has pretty much put the kibosh on "time off" as two out of three Americans and Brits check their email outside of regular business hours (ha) and half of Americans email while on vacation (double ha).

TechCrunch

In addition, that reach is extended by a series of over 30 'spokes.' Those are essentially smaller spaces that are designed to be accessible while members are traveling or wanting to work outside of normal business hours.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying availability, clearly state the regular business hours in addition to noting availability "outside of business hours". This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

When communicating "outside of business hours" across different locations, always specify the relevant time zone to avoid confusion about when you are actually unavailable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside of business hours" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates when an action occurs or a state exists relative to established business operating times. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outside of business hours" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate times when regular business operations are not in effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to specify time constraints, often in neutral or professional contexts. While frequently used in news and media, it also appears in scientific and wiki-based sources. Related phrases include "after business hours" and "beyond business hours". When using this phrase, consider the potential for confusion across different time zones and clearly communicate your specific availability. Proper usage helps set expectations and maintain clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after business hours

Omits "of" for a more concise phrasing.

out of business hours

A slight variation in preposition usage.

post-business hours

Uses "post-" as a prefix to indicate "after".

beyond business hours

Replaces "outside of" with "beyond" to denote exceeding the time frame.

after working hours

Substitutes "business" with "working" to refer to general work periods.

outside normal operating hours

Replaces "business" with "normal operating" for broader applicability.

non-business hours

Uses "non-" as a prefix to negate business hours.

during off-hours

Uses the term "off-hours" as a single compound noun.

after the close of business

More formal and explicit about the end of business operations.

in the hours following business operations

A more verbose and descriptive alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "outside of business hours" in a sentence?

You can use "outside of business hours" to indicate when services or operations are unavailable. For example, "The support team is only available during business hours; contact us "after hours" for emergencies only".

What's the difference between "outside of business hours" and "after hours"?

"Outside of business hours" is a more formal way to say "after hours". Both refer to times when normal business operations are closed, but "outside of business hours" is often preferred in professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "outside of business hours"?

You can use alternatives such as "after hours", "beyond business hours", or "during off-hours" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to contact someone "outside of business hours"?

Contacting someone "after hours" should generally be reserved for urgent matters or when prior arrangements have been made. Consider the recipient's work-life balance before reaching out.