At evening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At evening" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat formal and less common than other expressions.
You can use it when referring to the time of day during the evening, often in literary or poetic contexts. Example: "At evening, the sky turned a beautiful shade of orange as the sun set behind the hills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

At Evening Meeting, Mom had said that she considered Kyle's decision not to intervene judicious.

The New Yorker

At evening events, she skips canapés for crudité (but no dip).

The New York Times

At evening, they dine again, with any guests who may happen to be with them.

The New Yorker

At evening parties, long white shirtdresses were reminiscent of Renoir portraits.

The New York Times

At evening prayer time, at least 10 men would congregate to form the required quorum.

The New York Times - Tech

At evening receptions, waiters walk around with finger foods like swordfish cakes and mini sandwiches, and a bartender pours pinot noir and chardonnay.

The New York Times

At evening events, Diana went full-on glam, Lynn said.

Huffington Post

I did my A-levels at evening classes.

The Guardian

As I got older it was just at evening.

The Guardian

Some of them did faint at times, during the summer at evening concerts.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Overnight memory retention is represented by the difference in the number of words recalled at morning retrieval minus the number of words reproduced correctly at evening immediate recall.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "At evening" is grammatically correct, consider the context and audience. "In the evening" or "During the evening" might be more suitable for contemporary writing to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "At evening" in casual or informal contexts. It can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "in the evening" or "tonight" for everyday conversation or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At evening" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the time at which an action or event occurs. It modifies verbs or clauses, providing temporal context. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English, though it's considered somewhat formal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At evening" is a grammatically sound and usable way to indicate the time of day, though it carries a slightly formal or literary tone. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's less common in contemporary English than alternatives like "in the evening". Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias contexts, it serves to provide temporal context. While grammatically correct, remember to consider your audience and aim for the appropriate register to make your writings more relatable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the evening

This is a more common and straightforward alternative.

During the evening

Similar to "in the evening", but emphasizes the duration.

Towards evening

Indicates the approach of evening.

As night falls

A more descriptive and evocative alternative.

When evening arrives

Emphasizes the arrival of evening as a point in time.

At twilight

Refers to the period of fading light at evening.

In the dusk

Similar to twilight, referring to the darker part of evening.

At nightfall

Highlights the beginning of night.

By eventide

A more archaic and poetic alternative for evening.

After sunset

Specifies the time after the sun has set.

FAQs

How can I use "At evening" in a sentence?

You can use "At evening" to describe an event or action taking place during the evening hours. For instance, "At evening, the birds return to their nests."

What are some alternatives to "At evening"?

Alternatives include "in the evening", "during the evening", "towards evening", and "as night falls".

When is it appropriate to use "At evening"?

"At evening" is appropriate for formal writing, literary contexts, or when aiming for a slightly elevated or old-fashioned tone. Otherwise, a more common phrase like "in the evening" might be preferred.

Is "At evening" more formal than "In the evening"?

Yes, "At evening" is generally considered more formal and less frequently used in contemporary English than "in the evening". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.