past midday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past midday" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time that is after noon, typically referring to the period from 12:00 PM onwards. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 PM, which is well past midday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I pledge allegiance only to what works, and nothing works past midday, any day.

The New York Times - Style

But as soon as it's past midday, I'm back to 5 Live again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That it is just past midday on a Wednesday does little to subdue anyone: the music onstage is so celebratory few can resist.

The Guardian - Music

It's just past midday and Australia are 3 for 127 in 30 overs, with two big guns on deck – all-round superstar Ellyse Perry on 20, and slashing opening bat and captain, Meg Lanning, on 43.

The Guardian - Sport

Police said in a statement the decision to suspend the search was based on expert medical advice that the man could not have survived past midday, taking into account various factors including water temperature and weather conditions.

The Guardian

What crime were they preventing?" Carteret was photographed ("which I believe is an infringement of our rights") and forced to remain in the street from half past midday until six in the evening.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Already past midnight!

The New Yorker

"Past midnight," he said.

The New Yorker

It was past midnight.

The New York Times

"It went past midnight.

The New York Times

It was just past midnight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "past midday" to clearly indicate an event or action occurring after noon, especially when distinguishing it from morning activities. For instance, "The second session will commence past midday."

Common error

Avoid using "past midday" interchangeably with vague terms like "later" without specifying the context. Be specific when clarity is needed. For instance, instead of saying "We'll meet later", state "We'll meet past midday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past midday" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, specifying a time frame after noon. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound, serving to pinpoint when an action or event occurs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past midday" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for indicating a time after noon. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, with primary usage in news and media. While not extremely common, it serves to provide clarity about the timing of events. Alternatives like ""after noon"" or "in the afternoon" can be used for simplicity or to provide a descriptive context. When using "past midday", be specific and avoid vague references to time to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after noon

This is a direct and simple alternative, replacing "midday" with "noon".

in the afternoon

This phrase specifies the part of the day, providing a more descriptive context.

p.m.

This is the abbreviation for post meridiem, directly indicating the time after midday.

after 12 pm

This provides a specific point of reference, clarifying the time being discussed.

later in the day

This is a broader expression, indicating a time after the morning, including the afternoon and evening.

following lunch

This phrase uses the common mealtime as a reference point.

subsequent to midday

This is a more formal and less common way to express the same idea.

post meridiem

The full Latin phrase which p.m. abbreviates.

from noon onwards

This emphasizes the starting point of the time frame.

any time after 12

This emphasizes the lack of a specific time, only the time period which follows 12 p.m.

FAQs

How can I use "past midday" in a sentence?

You can use "past midday" to specify that something will happen in the afternoon. For example, "The meeting is scheduled for "the afternoon", specifically "past midday"."

What's a simple alternative to "past midday"?

A simple alternative to "past midday" is "after noon". It's straightforward and easy to understand.

Is it more formal to say "past midday" or "in the afternoon"?

"Past midday" and "in the afternoon" are both relatively neutral. However, "in the afternoon" might sound slightly more common in everyday conversation.

Which phrase is better: "past midday" or "after 12 pm"?

Both "past midday" and "after 12 pm" are correct. "Past midday" is a bit more descriptive, while "after 12 pm" is more precise.