p.m.

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "p.m." is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the time of day in the 12-hour clock system, specifically referring to the period from noon to midnight. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Cable news is available 24 hours a day on a variety of different channels, and that accommodates the lifestyle of Americans far better than the network news seen only at 6 30 or 7 p.m.

The Economist

Shortly after 2 p.m., Nasdaq said in an alert that trading would begin again at 2 45 p.m., but that was pushed back and activity fully resumed only shortly before the trading day drew to a close at 4 p.m.

The New York Times

As Achilles's trajectory must be continuous, by the definition of continuity (applied to instant t = t* = 1 P.M).

SEP

His opponent can now express his disagreement with the response that the one who supports the standard solution is deducing a matter of fact (that Achilles is at x = 1 at t* = 1 P.M).

SEP

Let us ask ourselves what the state of the lamp is at t* = 1 P.M.

SEP

we obtain that the limit to which the position occupied by Achilles tends as time approaches t* = 1 P.M. coincides with Achilles's position at t* = 1 P.M.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

HOURS Monday to Saturday, 5 30 to 10 p.m. RESERVATIONS Recommended at least one week ahead.

The New York Times - Food

The moment when life came to a stop after 1 p.m. on Friday was still visible everywhere.

The Guardian

The British and French Ambassadors in Berlin each delivered an ultimatum on Sunday and, satisfactory replies not being given, a state of war between Great Britain and Germany existed from 11 a.m. and between France and Germany from 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 3, 1939.This was the beginning.

The Economist

Duh.In any case, Gulliver will be following this story, so we'll have more to talk about when we know more.UPDATE, 12 20 p.m. EST Sunday: We know more.

The Economist

Updated, 9 39 p.m. | The United States stock market showed again on Thursday that it remained vulnerable to technological breakdowns even as regulators and market operators work to keep up with trading that is increasingly electronic and driven by speed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, ensure you include a space between the time and "p.m.", as in '5:00 p.m.'. Consistency in style enhances readability.

Common error

Ensure you're using "p.m." (post meridiem) for times after noon and before midnight, and "a.m." (ante meridiem) for times after midnight and before noon. Double-check, especially when scheduling events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "p.m." functions as an abbreviation indicating times between noon and midnight within the 12-hour clock system. Ludwig confirms its proper use in specifying time, ensuring clarity in scheduling and descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "p.m." is a grammatically correct abbreviation used to denote times between noon and midnight. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples shows it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While relatively uncommon overall, as confirmed by Ludwig, "p.m." serves a crucial function in clarifying time, and can be replaced by alternative way to describe time periods like "afternoon" or "evening", even though these are less specific. Remember to avoid confusing it with "a.m." and to maintain consistency in your writing style by following the best practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Post meridiem

This is the Latin term which "p.m." abbreviates, providing a more formal alternative.

Between noon and midnight

This fully specifies the timeframe that "p.m." covers.

In the afternoon

This phrase is less precise than "p.m.", referring to the general time period after noon but before evening.

After 12 noon

This is an explicit definition of when "p.m." times begin.

In the evening

This indicates a time from late afternoon to night, and is less precise.

Evening time

A more descriptive and less formal way to indicate the evening period.

In the nighttime

This refers to the period after dusk, representing a broader timeframe.

Nighttime

Similar to "in the nighttime" but even more generic.

During the second half of the day

A descriptive but less common way of saying a time between noon and midnight.

Late hours

This refers to the latter part of the "p.m." period, typically after dinner.

FAQs

How do you use "p.m." in a sentence?

Use "p.m." to denote times between noon and midnight. For example, "The movie starts at 7:00 p.m." You can also use it to clarify the time if there's any ambiguity.

What does "p.m." stand for?

"P.m." stands for post meridiem, a Latin phrase that means "after noon". It's used in the 12-hour clock system to differentiate times in the afternoon and evening from those in the morning.

Is it necessary to include ":00" when writing a time followed by "p.m."?

No, it's not always necessary. If the time is on the hour, you can simply write "7 p.m.". However, including ":00" (7:00 p.m.) provides more clarity and is often preferred in formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to using "p.m."?

Alternatives include "in the afternoon" or "in the evening", but these are less precise. If precision is needed, stick with "p.m." or rephrase to use a 24-hour clock.