outside of opening hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"outside of opening hours" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to times when a certain place is closed. For example, "The store is closed outside of opening hours, which are 10AM - 6PM on weekdays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Installing the customer remote means that even if a shopper passes by outside of opening hours, they can still purchase from the window display, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Forbes

Respondents also discussed cultural differences in terms of practical issues such as not attending appointments, turning-up late, or seeking consultation outside of opening hours.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Pharmacies were not observed throughout the full range of opening hours and days, and some activities may have happened outside the observed times.

BMC Health Services Research

In a statement, the museum said: "Enabling commercial events to take place outside of public opening hours in our iconic spaces brings the museum an important source of external funding, which allows us to maintain our position as a world-class scientific research centre and visitor attraction.

The Guardian

This survey reported that 9% of hospitals had a resident on-call pharmacist and 88% had a non-resident on-call service to provide advice and support medication supply outside of pharmacy opening hours.

BMC Health Services Research

Patients either do not have a GP or deliberately do not want to consult their GP, the GP might be absent or occupied or the emergency occurs outside of practice opening hours.

BMC Health Services Research

3 In April 2014, the UK Department of Health revealed the details of a pilot scheme that will see 1147 general practices in England, with approximately 7.5 million registered patients, begin to offer appointments outside of current opening hours.

British Journal of General Practice

The finding of the influence of age on patients' expectations could be explained by the fact that elderly persons often face complex and/or chronic medical problems, require a large number of medical consultations, including emergency and/or outside office opening hours health care.

BMC Health Services Research

Outside regular opening hours, media accreditation can be obtained in the main accreditation centre on Esplanade Solidarność.

European Parliament

This is due to the fact that measures could not be performed over the weekend or during the week outside the opening hours of the immunology laboratory.

Annals of Intensive Care

It also hopes to raise funds by opening for individuals and groups wanting to make use of the facilities outside normal opening hours.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outside of opening hours", ensure the specific opening hours are clearly defined elsewhere in the context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, state the hours separately: "The library is closed outside of opening hours, which are 9 AM to 5 PM."

Common error

Avoid using "outside of opening hours" without specifying what those opening hours actually are. This lack of clarity can confuse readers and negate the purpose of providing the information in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside of opening hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the time when an action does not or cannot occur. It specifies when a service, facility, or operation is unavailable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

34%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outside of opening hours" is a grammatically correct and readily understood phrase used to specify when a service or facility is not available. Ludwig's analysis shows that the expression, while not overly common, is suitable for both neutral and professional communication. Its proper use requires that the opening hours be clearly established or understood. The phrase functions adverbially, clarifying time limitations, and it's frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts. Alternatives like "after hours" offer simpler substitutes, yet maintaining clarity is key when indicating these temporal boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside business hours

A direct synonym, replacing "opening" with "business" to indicate the time frame.

after hours

This is a shorter, more common way to say after the regular business period.

beyond operating hours

This phrase is slightly more formal and emphasizes the limits of the operational period.

when the establishment is closed

This alternative directly states the closed status of the business.

after the close of business

More formal and emphasizes the cessation of business activity.

outside of service hours

Focuses on service availability, useful for facilities offering specific services.

during non-operational times

This is a more technical or formal way to indicate periods of inactivity.

in the off hours

A simple way to refer to times that are not during the regular working day or week.

when not open to the public

Specifies that the facility is inaccessible to the general public during these times.

after the doors are locked

A more descriptive and vivid way to convey closure.

FAQs

What does "outside of opening hours" mean?

The phrase "outside of opening hours" refers to any time period when a business, service, or facility is not open for its regular operations. It indicates when the establishment is closed to the public.

What is a simple alternative to "outside of opening hours"?

A simple alternative is "after hours", which is commonly understood to mean the time after a business has closed for the day.

Is it better to say "outside business hours" or "outside of opening hours"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "outside business hours" might be slightly more common in general business contexts. "Outside of opening hours" is equally valid and widely understood.

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

You might say, "The customer support line is only available during business hours; for assistance after hours, please visit our website." Alternatively, "The museum is closed "when the establishment is closed", so you cannot visit outside of opening hours."