second half of the day

USAGE SUMMARY

"second half of the day" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the latter part of the day, typically after lunchtime. For example: "I will get the remaining tasks done by the second half of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It was not a one-man show, with a couple of other England hopefuls also making a positive impression in the second half of the day.

The Guardian - Sport

I believe it was at the point where I was salivating into my chili that Kelly mentioned there was an empty seat and invited me to join the group for the second half of the day.

The New York Times - Travel

This was the Cook of the 2010-11 Austouriastour, as he left the ball judiciously, picked off legside singles steadily, and punished loose balls – of which there were many, especially in the second half of the day – efficiently, whether driving the seamers through the covers, or rocking back to cut the spinners behind square on the off-side.

The Guardian - Sport

This was the second half of the day's Prophets' Make America Rage Again plan.

The Guardian - Music

Heat is normally absorbed and stored during the day by building structure elements, and it is released back into spaces in the second half of the day.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

In June solstice and September equinox, hmF2 at Dibrugarh is slightly higher than that of Okinawa during the first half and lower in the second half of the day.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I first met Diego in the spring of 2010, the day before his high school prom.

The Guardian

Measurements were taken between 07.00 to 09.00 h and 16.00 to 18.00 h of the day.

The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology

Measurements were taken between 07.00 to 09.00 h and 16.00 to 18.00 h of the day, using standard procedures.

The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology

The painting was created in November 1942 and published in the March 6, 1943 issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

Wikipedia

This is known as second-half-of-the-day headache.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "second half of the day" to clearly distinguish between the morning and the afternoon/evening, especially when describing schedules or activities.

Common error

While "second half of the day" is correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "afternoon" or "latter part of the day" for better flow.

Linguistic Context

Second half of the day functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to specify the timing of an event or activity within the 24-hour cycle. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable in written English. It is typically used to divide the day into two parts: morning and afternoon/evening.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "second half of the day" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to refer to the latter portion of the day, typically after lunchtime. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While versatile, it's helpful to consider synonyms like "afternoon" or "latter part of the day" to avoid repetition. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts from news and science to general conversation. Being mindful of its nuances ensures effective and engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Second part of the day

A more literal synonym, simply indicating the day is split into two parts.

Latter part of the day

Emphasizes that it is a later portion of the day, but is less specific about how the day is divided.

Afternoon

Refers to the time period from noon to evening; it's less specific about the exact division of the day.

The rest of the day

Focuses on the remaining time in the day, without necessarily implying a distinct division.

The afternoon and evening

Specifically mentions the two parts of the day typically comprising the latter portion.

The period after midday

Highlights the time following noon, similar to "afternoon".

The remaining daylight hours

Focuses on the portion of the day when there is still sunlight.

The PM hours

More concise and directly refers to the hours after noon.

Subsequent hours of the day

Highlights that the specified period is following an earlier one, usually specified in the context.

The time from noon onwards

Specifies the starting point (noon) for the rest of the day.

FAQs

What is meant by "second half of the day"?

The phrase "second half of the day" refers to the period starting around noon and continuing until evening, essentially encompassing the afternoon and early evening hours.

What can I say instead of "second half of the day"?

You can use alternatives like "afternoon", "latter part of the day", or "the rest of the day" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "second part of the day" instead of "second half of the day"?

Yes, "second part of the day" is a correct and acceptable alternative. While they are very similar, "second half of the day" specifically implies a division into two equal portions, whereas "second part of the day" is less strict about the division.

How does the formality of "second half of the day" compare to "afternoon"?

The phrase "second half of the day" tends to be slightly more formal than "afternoon", which is a common and neutral term. However, both are generally suitable for most situations.