Today midday/ afternoon

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi all,

Is it right to say I will answer you by today afternoon or
this task will be done by today midday?

Regards,
Swan

2

I will answer you by this afternoon.
This task will be done by this afternoon.
I will answer you by this evening.
This task will be done by this evening.
I will answer you by tonight.
This task will be done by tonight.
I will answer you by midday today.
This task will be done by midday today.
I will answer you by 2 p.m. this afternoon.
This task will be done by 2 p.m. this afternoon.
etc.

3

The point to be noted is that we do not use expressions like these: today morning, today afternoon, today evening, today night, yesterday night etc. ‘Yesterday night’ should be ‘Last night’ and ‘Today night’ ‘Tonight’. For midday ‘noon’ also is possible. Rest as corrected.

4

Thank you so much

5

Beeesneees,
‘I will answer you this afternoon.’
Can I answer as above without the preposition ‘by’?
Please comment.
Thanks.

6

You can say that, but it changes the meaning.

7

Beeesneees,
Please explain the difference in meaning with and without ‘by’.
Thanks.

8

no ‘by’:
Sometime this afternoon I will provide an answer.

with ‘by’:
Before the start of the afternoon I will provide an answer.
Less frequently the meaning may be ‘Before the end of the afternoon I will…’
It’s up to the individual.