second half of may

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second half of May" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the latter part of the month of May, typically from the 16th to the 31st. Example: "We are planning to launch the new product in the second half of May."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"So we would have to wait until the second half of May".

The Guardian

In the second half of May, Nasser made one provocative move after another.

The New Yorker

Sources last week said the DoJ and five major banks, including UBS, were on course to reach multibillion-pound agreements as soon as the second half of May.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This year may follow suit.

The Economist

The next month may prove critical.

The New York Times

But this year may be different.

The New York Times

Because tomorrow may never come.

The New York Times

Next summer may be revealing.

The Guardian - Sport

But Passover 2014 may be more realistic.

The New York Times

This year may bring more dramatic change.

The Economist

Next week may well decide her future.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "second half of may" when you need to be specific about a timeframe within the month, avoiding ambiguity. It is especially useful when coordinating events or deadlines.

Common error

Avoid using "second half of may" in informal communication where simpler alternatives like "late may" would suffice. Consider your audience and the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second half of may" functions as a temporal expression, specifying a period within the month of May. It is commonly used to denote the time frame from approximately the 16th to the 31st of May. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in news and media to indicate when events are scheduled or expected to occur.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "second half of may" is a temporal expression used to specify the latter part of the month of May. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media. While not overly formal, it is precise and helpful for planning and scheduling. For more informal situations, alternatives such as "late may" might be more appropriate. Though relatively rare, its specific meaning makes it a useful addition to one's vocabulary. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its function in providing precise temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

latter part of may

Focuses on the concluding portion of May, similar to the query.

end of may

Indicates the final days of May, closely related to the original meaning.

late may

A more concise way to refer to the latter part of May.

final weeks of may

Specifies the last few weeks in May.

closing days of may

Emphasizes the termination of the month of May.

latter portion of may

A more formal way of saying the latter part of May.

latter stage of may

Highlights the advanced period within May.

latter phase of may

Similar to 'latter stage', referring to a progressed period in May.

the period from mid-may onwards

Explicitly defines the time frame starting from mid-May.

after mid-may

A simple and direct way to indicate the time after the middle of May.

FAQs

What is another way to say "second half of may"?

You can use phrases like "late may", "end of may", or "latter part of may" depending on the desired level of formality.

When is the "second half of may"?

The "second half of may" generally refers to the period from May 16th to May 31st.

Is it appropriate to use "second half of may" in business communication?

Yes, "second half of may" is appropriate for business communication when you need a precise timeframe. In more casual contexts, "late may" might be preferred.

How can I make my writing more concise when referring to the "second half of may"?

If brevity is crucial, consider using "late may". However, ensure that this shorter form does not introduce ambiguity, especially in formal or critical communications.