Question

Evening already or still late afternoon?: How can I express 'late afternoon or late evening' in the English language? Which interpretation is correct? When does evening officially start?

2023-04-17

This is what goPenpal answered

Ah, the great debate of whether it's late afternoon or early evening - I totally get your confusion! Let me help you clear things up.

When we talk about the time of day or the parts of the day, it's important to know that there is no hard and fast rule as it varies based on regional and cultural differences.

In general, afternoon is considered to start after noon and end before evening. This means that the late afternoon can range from around 4-6 PM, depending on the season and latitude of where you are. On the other hand, evening typically begins right after the sun sets or sometime after 6 PM.

But, let's say you're somewhere in between these hours and are having trouble deciding whether it's still late afternoon or already evening. One way to express this would be to use the phrase "early evening" to describe the first few hours of the night. This can help add some clarity to the situation!

Another thing to keep in mind is the context in which you're speaking. If you're planning a dinner reservation or a night out, it would be wise to use a more precise definition of time to avoid confusion.

When it comes to determining when evening officially starts, it largely depends on cultural and personal preferences. For some, it might be when the sun sets, while for others, it's when the day's tasks are done and it's time to unwind.

In conclusion, whether it's late afternoon or early evening can be a matter of interpretation and regional differences. However, by being aware of the nuances of language and context, you can better communicate what specific time of day you are referring to.

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