outside of regular hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outside of regular hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to times that are not within the standard operating hours of a business or organization. Example: "The customer service hotline is available outside of regular hours for urgent inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

(The Neue Galerie, as it happens, does not admit unaccompanied children under the age of sixteen; no one under the age of twelve is allowed in at all, with the occasional exception of the Lauder grandchildren outside of regular hours.

The New Yorker

In general surgery, medication reconciliation outside of regular hours may differ in terms of urgency, and/or acuity of cases.

BMC Health Services Research

These challenges were mainly caused by differences in patient flow: elective admissions, during regular business hours for planned surgical procedures, and urgent admissions for immediate acute care surgery, often outside of regular hours of operation.

BMC Health Services Research

The medication reconciliation process may differ outside of regular hours of operation due to understaffing of health care professionals typically involved in mediation reconciliation (e.g. pharmacists) and/or presence of more junior staff with lesser direct supervision.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Studies have suggested that patients may have worse outcomes when presenting 'outside of regular hours'.

BMJ Open

Many of these details recently surfaced thanks to the mummy's brief passage through a Dual Energy CT scanner at Royal Brompton Hospital in London (outside of regular patient hours).

Vice

Home-based providers often worked outside of their regular hours, with many starting as early as 5 30 AM and ending as late as 6 30 PM.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Americans spend seven extra hours per week checking their emails and doing work outside of their regular hours, according to a 2012 by Good Technology, a security software manufacturer.

BBC

36 37 In contrast, general medical and surgical care units have fewer resources with a nurse for every four to eight patients 38 and physicians responsible for up to as many as 65 patients during regular working hours and 400 patients outside of regular working hours.

BMJ Open

Many Vietnamese teachers hold extra tuitions, outside of regular school hours, for a small fee of between $2.50 and $5 per lesson.

The Economist

New York City may again block religious groups from using school facilities outside of regular school hours for "religious worship services," a federal appeals court in Manhattan ruled on Thursday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or services, clarify if they occur "outside of regular hours" to manage expectations and ensure availability.

Common error

When using the phrase "outside of regular hours", always specify the context. For example, state whose "regular hours" you are referring to (e.g., "outside of regular business hours" vs. "outside of regular school hours").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside of regular hours" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate when something occurs. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "services are available outside of regular hours."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outside of regular hours" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that specifies a timeframe beyond the typical operational period. As Ludwig confirms, it's found across various contexts, including news, science and media, with neutral register. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying whose "regular hours" are being referenced. Alternatives like "after regular hours" or "beyond standard hours" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Keep in mind context and audience when selecting the most appropriate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after regular hours

Implies directly following the typical hours, simpler structure.

beyond standard hours

Replaces "regular" with "standard", suggesting a norm.

after business hours

Specifically references hours of operation.

outside normal working hours

More explicit about working context.

during off-peak times

Focuses on periods of less activity.

in non-standard hours

Suggests unconventional or irregular timing.

in the evening or weekends

Specifies common times outside regular hours.

during unscheduled times

Highlights the lack of a fixed schedule.

beyond usual operating times

More formal, emphasizes operational context.

following customary hours

Highlights actions taken after the end of customary working periods.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "outside of regular hours" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "beyond standard hours" or "outside normal working hours". These alternatives offer a more professional and precise nuance.

What's a simpler way to say "outside of regular hours"?

A simpler alternative is "after regular hours". This option is more direct and easily understood in most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "outside of regular hours"?

Use "outside of regular hours" when describing activities or services that occur beyond the typical operational timeframe of a business, school, or organization. For example, "The library offers extended services "beyond standard hours" during exam periods."

How does "outside of regular hours" differ from "overtime"?

"Outside of regular hours" refers to the time period, while "overtime" typically refers to work done during those hours, often implying additional pay. You might work "after regular hours" and receive overtime pay.