this a.m.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this a.m." is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the morning of the current day, often in informal contexts. Example: "I had a meeting scheduled for this a.m. to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Sheekey responded: "Just back this a.m.

The New York Times

Working from home this a.m.

Huffington Post

Exactly the case this a.m.

Huffington Post

We definitely lost a legend!! Loved her as a coach and person!! Prayers out to her family this a.m.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here, the tee times look like this: 10 45 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

A typical day goes something like this: At 10 a.m.

Forbes

All this at six a.m.

Huffington Post

I'm writing this at 5 36 a.m.

Huffington Post

"Whose Garden Is This?" Sunday 9 30-10 a.m.

Los Angeles Times

This was about 11 30 a.m.

The Washington Post

Performances are every Saturday at 11 a.m.; also this Thursday at 10 a.m.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal audience or in a professional setting, prefer "this morning" over "this a.m." for clarity and a more polished tone.

Common error

Avoid mixing abbreviated and full time formats within the same document. If you've used "this a.m.", don't switch to "10:00 in the morning" later on; choose one style and stick to it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this a.m." functions as an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies a verb by specifying when an action occurred, indicating that it happened in the morning of the current day. Ludwig shows it primarily used to indicate a point in time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

37%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this a.m." is a grammatically correct but informal way to refer to the morning of the current day. Ludwig indicates that while acceptable, it's less common in formal writing, where "this morning" is preferred. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, the phrase serves as a quick and easy temporal reference in informal communication. For professional settings, consider using more explicit alternatives for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this morning

Replaces the abbreviation "a.m." with the full word "morning", creating a more formal tone.

earlier today

Shifts the focus to the time of day in relation to the present, rather than a specific part of the day.

in the morning today

Adds redundancy by specifying "in the morning" and "today", but conveys the same meaning.

this forenoon

Uses a less common synonym for morning, adding a touch of formality.

the morning of today

A slightly awkward rephrasing emphasizing "today", but with the same underlying meaning.

during the morning

Focuses on the duration of the morning, rather than a specific time.

prior to noon today

A more formal way of saying before midday, suitable for professional communication.

earlier in the day

A broader term that could refer to any time before the present, not necessarily just the morning.

in the first half of the day

Emphasizes the division of the day, indicating a time before noon.

this daybreak

Uses a poetic term to describe the start of the day, adding an element of novelty.

FAQs

What is the difference between "this a.m." and "this morning"?

"This a.m." is an abbreviation for "this morning". The abbreviated version is more informal and commonly used in emails or texts, while the full phrase is suitable for more formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "this a.m."?

It's appropriate to use "this a.m." in informal communication, such as quick emails, text messages, or internal memos where brevity is valued. Avoid it in formal reports, academic papers, or external communications.

Can I use "this p.m." as an alternative to "this a.m."?

Yes, "this p.m." is the equivalent of "this a.m." but refers to the afternoon or evening of the current day. Both follow the same usage guidelines regarding formality.

What are some other ways to say "this a.m."?

Alternatives to "this a.m." include "earlier today", "this morning", or specifying a particular time, such as "at 9 a.m."