these idioms are complicated. in the afternoon on Sunday afternoon In the middle west, they say "of a Sunday afternoon." > ---------- > From: SIRAISI Tomio[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Reply To: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar > Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 1999 4:08 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: "IN the afternoon of a chilly day" > > Dear ATEGers, > > The other day, I came across the following passage when reading "Uncle > Tom's Cabin". > > Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February, two gentlemen were > sitting alone > over their wine, in a well-furnished dining parlor, in the town of P---, > in Kentucky. > There were no servants present, and the gentlemen, with chairs closely > approaching, > seemed to be discussing some subject with great earnestness. > > Is "in the afternoon of a chilly day" correct? > Or is it rather archaic and should I say "on the afternoon of a chilly > day" now? > > Thanks in advance. > > SIRAISI Tomio >