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Hans51 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Earlier / Early in the day, she said that...

I can see 'earlier in the day' in newspapers a lot, but I feel like there is no meaning difference between 'earlier in the day' and 'early in the day'.

Earlier in the day, she said that...

Early in the day, she said that...

Is there a meaning difference or context difference between them?

Thank you so much as usual and have a good day.
  

Top answer

Hans51 Is there a meaning difference or context difference between them? Yes indeed. Early in the day is absolute: it is before mid-morning.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hans51 Is there a meaning difference or context difference between them?
  • Yes indeed.
  • Early in the day is absolute: it is before mid-morning.
  • Earlier in the day is relative: it is before another time indicated in the context, so 'earlier' could be 5 PM if the later time is, say 9 PM.
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1 Answers
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Hans51Is there a meaning difference or context difference between them?
Yes indeed.

Early in the day is absolute: it is before mid-morning.
Earlier in the day is relative: it is before another time indicated in the context, so 'earlier' could be 5 PM if the later time is, say 9 PM.
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