That night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That night" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific night in the past when recounting events or experiences. Example: "That night, the stars shone brighter than ever before, and we felt a sense of peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died that night.

The New York Times

I wasn't arrested that night.

The New York Times

"People that night were petrified".

The New Yorker

He was right that night.

The New York Times - Sports

Arizona executed Landrigan that night.

The New Yorker

Fortunately, there was no outcall that night.

The New Yorker

He died that night, while he slept.

The New Yorker

The soldiers did not come that night.

The New York Times

Scored two that night.

BBC

"Something amazing happened that night".

BBC

He was fine that night.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "That night", ensure the context clearly establishes which night you are referring to. Use it to build narrative tension or to emphasize the significance of events occurring during that specific time.

Common error

Avoid using "That night" without a prior reference point. If the reader doesn't know which night you're talking about, the phrase becomes confusing. Instead, establish the context first or use a more specific description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That night" functions as a temporal determiner phrase, specifying a particular night known to both the speaker and the audience. It provides a temporal anchor, allowing for a clear reference to a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "That night" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that acts as a temporal marker, connecting events to a specific point in time. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. To ensure clarity, always provide context for the night you're referencing. While alternatives like "on that evening" or "during that night" exist, "That night" remains a direct and effective way to ground your narrative in a particular evening. Remember, its effectiveness relies on clear context and a well-established timeline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On that evening

Replaces "night" with "evening", maintaining the specific time reference but suggesting a slightly earlier part of the day.

During that night

Uses "during" to emphasize the span of time within that night, rather than a specific moment.

That very night

Adds "very" to stress the immediacy and importance of the night in question.

Later that night

Specifies that the event occurred at a later point within the night.

That same night

Highlights that the night is the same one previously mentioned or implied, emphasizing the connection between events.

In the course of that night

Emphasizes the progression of events over the duration of the specified night.

As the night wore on

Focuses on the passage of time throughout the night, often implying a gradual change or development.

On the night in question

Introduces a more formal tone, referring to a specific night that is under discussion.

That fateful night

Adds a sense of destiny or importance to the night, suggesting that significant events occurred.

Under the cover of darkness

Shifts the focus to the darkness of the night, implying secrecy or concealment.

FAQs

How can I use "That night" in a sentence?

Use "That night" to refer back to a specific night that has already been established in the conversation or narrative. For example, "We went to the concert. "That night", we met the band backstage."

What can I say instead of "That night"?

You can use alternatives like "On that evening", "During that night", or "That very night" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "That night"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it can be confusing if the context doesn't clearly define which night you are referring to. Always make sure the reference is clear to your audience.

What's the difference between "That night" and "The night before"?

"That night" refers to a specific night already mentioned or understood in the context, while "The night before" refers to the night immediately preceding a specific day or event. For example, "The wedding was beautiful. "That night", we celebrated with friends" versus "I was nervous about the interview. "The night before", I couldn't sleep."