How to Use “In the Afternoon” Correctly: A Grammar Guide for ESL Learners
Have you ever been unsure how to talk about your daily schedule in English? Phrases like "in the afternoon" are simple but very important for clear communication. Mastering these common adverbial phrases is a key step to improving your fluency in English. This guide will explain what "in the afternoon" means, how to use it in sentences, and some common mistakes to avoid. Let's make your English sound more natural!
Table of Contents
- What Does “In the Afternoon” Mean?
- What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “In the Afternoon”?
- Example Sentences with “In the Afternoon”
- When and How to Use “In the Afternoon”
- Summary and Practice Tip
What Does “In the Afternoon” Mean?
This phrase has a simple meaning. It refers to a specific time of day.
Definition: The period of time between noon (12:0.0 p.m.) and the evening.
In a sentence, "in the afternoon" is an adverbial phrase. Its job is to modify a verb. It answers the question "When?" by describing when an action happens. Using it helps add important detail to your sentence structure.
For example, instead of just saying, "I will call you," you can be more specific: "I will call you in the afternoon."
What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “In the Afternoon”?
Understanding grammar rules helps you use phrases correctly. "In the afternoon" is an adverbial phrase of time. These phrases tell us when an event occurs.
Let’s look at its simple grammatical structure:
- Preposition:
in - Article:
the - Noun:
afternoon
This structure is common for many phrases of time, like "in the morning" or "in the evening."
Position in a Sentence
You can place "in the afternoon" in two main positions:
At the end of the sentence (most common): This is the most natural and frequent placement.
- Subject + Verb + [Adverbial Phrase]
- Example:
She usually studies in the afternoon.
At the beginning of the sentence (for emphasis): Use this to highlight the time.
- [Adverbial Phrase], Subject + Verb
- Example:
In the afternoon, the office gets very busy.
Example Sentences with “In the Afternoon”
Seeing how a phrase is used in real life is the best way to learn. Here are some sentence examples to help you understand its use.
- The children like to play outside in the afternoon after they finish their homework.
- We have a doctor's appointment at 2:00 PM in the afternoon.
- I often feel sleepy in the afternoon and need a cup of tea.
Here is a short dialogue:
- Person A: "Are you free to talk today?"
- Person B: "Yes, but I have meetings all morning. Let's talk in the afternoon."
When and How to Use “In the Afternoon”
This phrase is very common and can be used in almost any situation, from formal emails to casual conversations with friends. It is a key part of daily communication.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A frequent mistake for ESL learners is using the wrong preposition. Remember these simple grammar rules:
- Correct:
in the morning,in the afternoon,in the evening - Incorrect:
at the afternoon,on the afternoon
The only exception for a time of day is "night." For night, we say at night.
This distinction is important for natural sentence use. As defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, the afternoon is the part of the day between midday and evening, and the standard preposition for it in English is "in."
Summary and Practice Tip
Let’s review. "In the afternoon" is a common adverbial phrase of time. It tells us when an action happens and is usually placed at the end of a sentence. Always remember to use the preposition in.
Improving your English grammar happens one step at a time. Mastering small phrases like this one will greatly boost your fluency in English.
Your Turn to Practice!
Now, try it yourself. Write a sentence in the comments below. Tell us one thing you like to do in the afternoon. We look forward to reading your examples!
