on an afternoon vs in an afternoon

The phrases aren't directly comparable as they're used in different contexts. 'On an afternoon' is correct when referring to a specific day or time in the afternoon, while 'in an afternoon' is correct when talking about the duration of time during one afternoon.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 26, 2025 • 5306 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a specific day or time in the afternoon.

"on an afternoon"

Use 'on an afternoon' when specifying a particular day or time in the afternoon, such as 'on an afternoon in July' or 'on an afternoon last week.'

Examples:

We met on an afternoon in spring.
The event is scheduled for on an afternoon in August.
I remember the conversation we had on an afternoon in September.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look as the MacArthur begins to feast on an afternoon snack.
I was set on an afternoon in The Bear, Sir.
You do it any other night, you end up on an afternoon talk show.
It is a happy coincidence that we should have the Head of State of an Accession Country to speak to us on an afternoon when we hear from the European Commission on the annual progress reports on the question of accession to the European Union.
One always sweats the big drop on the morning of an afternoon.
That is a crucially important point for us as normal consumers when, on an ordinary Thursday afternoon, we are to do a bit of quick shopping for the evening meal.
And eventually, I spend an afternoon going over everything.
You can't block a court order in an afternoon.
It was not an unpleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Spending an afternoon in the pub with our friends.
But this is like two or three times an afternoon.
We have an afternoon session, too.
Looks like we just wasted an afternoon, fellows.
I would relish the chance to spend an afternoon here.
I think we've earned ourselves an afternoon snack.
At least come away with me for an afternoon.
CARRIE: I spent an afternoon with him.
I spent an afternoon with him.
Theoretically, you could cure polio in an afternoon.
I was thinking more like an afternoon in a beachside paradise.

Alternatives:

on a sunny afternoon
on a rainy afternoon
on a quiet afternoon
on a summer afternoon
on a winter afternoon

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the duration of time during one afternoon.

"in an afternoon"

Use 'in an afternoon' when talking about the time it takes to do something during one afternoon, such as 'We completed the project in an afternoon.'

Examples:

She read the entire book in an afternoon.
They painted the house in an afternoon.
I learned to bake a cake in an afternoon.

Show examples from the web [+]

You can't block a court order in an afternoon.
Theoretically, you could cure polio in an afternoon.
I mean, in the 18th century, in the 18th century you could become an expert on any field of science in an afternoon by going to a library, if you could find the library, right?
Can I interest you in an afternoon of spirited questing followed by a flagon of ale at yon virtual tavern?
There are far more fulfilling things to do in an afternoon.
Y-you're talking about Stopping a terrorist attack in an afternoon.
I could put together a restoring process in an afternoon.
Call of Duty... I've wiped out entire platoons in an afternoon.
And that can't be undone in an afternoon.
Before we start Monday morning quarterbacking, just remember we threw this together in an afternoon.
Then I'm sure you can dispense with it in an afternoon.
I learned how to paint in an afternoon.
I doubt if Madgett could get it up three times in an afternoon.
Bob picks three of his most reliable singers for the solos... including Joe, who's famous for memorizing entire songs in an afternoon.
My friend said you could travel the world in an afternoon and never leave the confines of Shanghai's international settlement.
It's not like your fight, Rae, where it's over in an afternoon.
You came up with that in an afternoon?
They could whip up some bad Photoshop poster in an afternoon
They could whip up some bad Photoshop poster in an afternoon.
You came up with that in an afternoon?

Alternatives:

within an afternoon
during an afternoon
over an afternoon
across an afternoon
throughout an afternoon

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on an afternoon vs in an afternoon

"on an afternoon"

"in an afternoon"

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