On the Afternoon vs In the Afternoon – A Guide to English Prepositions

Introduction

Many English learners wonder whether to say “on the afternoon” or “in the afternoon.” While both phrases refer to a time of day, their grammatical correctness depends on context. This guide explains when to use each—and why one is far more common than the other.

✅ Correct Usage: “In the Afternoon”

The standard and most widely accepted phrase is “in the afternoon.” It refers to the general time period between noon and evening (roughly 12 PM to 6 PM).

• I usually take a walk in the afternoon.
• She has meetings scheduled in the afternoon.

⚠️ When Is “On the Afternoon” Used?

Technically, “on the afternoon” is rare and only acceptable when followed by a specific date. Even then, many native speakers prefer rephrasing.

• We arrived on the afternoon of July 4th. ✅ (formal)
• ❌ “We arrived on the afternoon.” → Incorrect without a date!

In everyday speech, it’s more natural to say: “We arrived in the afternoon on July 4th.”

Quick Reference Table

In the afternoon → General time (always correct)
On the afternoon of [date] → Formal & specific (less common)
On the afternoon (alone) → ❌ Usually incorrect

Test Your Knowledge!

Which sentence is correct?