By tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "By tonight" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a deadline or time frame that ends at or before the evening of the current day. Example: "Please submit your report by tonight." Alternative expressions include "By the end of the day" and "Before nightfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

By tonight she was more sober.

The New York Times

By tonight, there had been no arrests.

The New York Times

"By tonight, this conversation, it'll all be a dream".

The New York Times

By tonight, the two camps had reversed places.

The New York Times

By tonight, there were signs that Congressional Republicans were relenting.

The New York Times

By tonight it will be covered with asphalt and rolled smooth.

The New Yorker

By tonight, 507 bodies had been recovered, and hundreds are still missing.

The New York Times

By tonight I think we will have about 7,000 British citizens returned to the UK.

Independent

By tonight or tomorrow morning, we should be close to normal there," Mr. Lott said.

The New York Times

By tonight, more than half a million people had signed an online petition calling for the presenter to be reinstated.

Independent

"By tonight," said Mr. Northway, "all that you see is green will be gone".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "By tonight" to set a clear expectation for completing a task or reaching a state before the end of the current day. It is suitable for deadlines and plans.

Common error

Avoid using "By tonight" when you actually mean 'by the end of the week' or 'in the near future'. "By tonight" sets a same-day deadline, and misusing it can create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "By tonight" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a deadline or a point in time before the end of the current day. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used to indicate when something should be completed or will occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "By tonight" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a deadline or expectation for something to occur before the end of the current day. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts. Alternatives like "by the end of the day" or "before nightfall" can be used depending on the level of formality required. Ensure that "By tonight" is only used when a same-day deadline is intended to avoid confusion. The phrase's function is primarily adverbial, setting a clear expectation for when an event should take place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

By the evening

A simpler and more direct synonym for "By tonight".

Before the end of today

Replaces 'tonight' with a more general reference to the current day's end, suitable for any context.

No later than tonight

Emphasizes the deadline aspect, making it clear that the action must occur on the same day.

By the close of business today

More formal, implies a deadline aligned with standard business hours.

Before the day is over

Similar to 'Before the end of today', but slightly more emphatic.

Before nightfall

Replaces 'tonight' with a more poetic or descriptive term, best used in less formal settings.

Sometime this evening

Indicates a less strict deadline, suggesting the action should occur during the evening but without firm commitment.

Prior to the night

A slightly more formal synonym for before tonight.

During the remaining hours of today

Formal and precise, suitable for business or academic contexts.

By the time night comes

Emphasizes the arrival of night as the defining end point.

FAQs

How can I use "By tonight" in a sentence?

You can use "By tonight" to indicate a deadline or expected outcome within the current day's evening, for example: "Please submit your application "by tonight"."

What phrases are similar to "By tonight"?

Alternatives include "by the end of the day", "before nightfall", or "by the evening", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "By tonight" formal or informal?

"By tonight" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "by the close of business today" may be more suitable for professional settings.

What does "By tonight" mean?

"By tonight" means that something should be completed or will happen before the end of the current day's evening. It sets a clear timeframe for completion.