that afternoon

USAGE SUMMARY

"that afternoon" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific afternoon in the past or future. Example sentence: I remember meeting him for the first time that afternoon in the park.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

21, with a free workshop that afternoon.

The New York Times - Travel

The restaurant was empty that afternoon.

The New York Times - Food

By that afternoon, it was seven hundred.

The New Yorker

We swam in the ocean that afternoon.

The New Yorker

I began administering the treatment that afternoon.

The New Yorker

I felt free and euphoric that afternoon.

Science Magazine

Casualties were severe that afternoon.

Wikipedia

Remember that afternoon, Ceil?

The New Yorker

Chhotu died that afternoon.

The New York Times

Tensions increased that afternoon.

The New Yorker

Yates resigned that afternoon.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that afternoon" to refer to a specific afternoon already established in the context, ensuring clarity for your reader. For example, after mentioning a morning event, you can use "that afternoon" to describe subsequent events.

Common error

Avoid using "that afternoon" without first establishing which day or event you are referencing. Without proper context, it can confuse the reader and make your writing unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that afternoon" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event took place. Ludwig examples demonstrate it pinpoints a particular afternoon previously mentioned or understood within the context. Ludwig AI confirms it's a common and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that afternoon" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a specific afternoon already established in context. As noted by Ludwig, it serves as a temporal reference point, clarifying when an event occurred. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, general narratives and even scientific writing. Remembering to provide clear context when using "that afternoon" will enhance clarity and prevent confusion. Ludwig AI and the numerous examples confirm its widespread and correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

later that day

Emphasizes the sequence of events within the same day, with a slightly broader scope.

that same afternoon

Highlights that the afternoon being referred to is the same as one previously mentioned.

in the afternoon of that day

More formal and descriptive, specifying the timeframe more explicitly.

during that afternoon

Focuses on actions or events taking place within the afternoon period.

on the afternoon in question

Highlights a particular afternoon that is relevant to the discussion.

that very afternoon

Adds emphasis to the immediacy or surprise of the events occurring that afternoon.

subsequently that day

Implies a direct sequence of events happening later on the same day.

the afternoon of that day

Similar to "in the afternoon of that day" but slightly less formal.

following that morning

Emphasizes that the afternoon events follow a specific morning event.

later in the day

A more general reference to a later time within the same day, encompassing the afternoon.

FAQs

How do you use "that afternoon" in a sentence?

"That afternoon" is used to refer to a specific afternoon, usually one that has already been mentioned or is understood in context. For example: "We had a meeting in the morning; "that afternoon", we finalized the proposal."

What is a more formal way to say "that afternoon"?

More formal alternatives include "in the afternoon of that day" or "during the afternoon in question". These phrases provide a more explicit and descriptive reference to the specific timeframe.

Is it correct to use "that afternoon" to refer to a future event?

While "that afternoon" is most commonly used for past events, it can also refer to a future event if the context is clear. For example: "We'll have the presentation in the morning; "that afternoon", we'll discuss the results."

What's the difference between "that afternoon" and "this afternoon"?

"This afternoon" refers to the afternoon of the current day, while "that afternoon" refers to a specific afternoon in the past or future, distinct from the current day. Use "this afternoon" if you're talking about what's happening today, and "that afternoon" for other days.