a night that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a night that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a specific event or experience that occurred during a night. Example: "It was a night that changed everything for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a night that must have been.

The New York Times - Arts

What a night that was at the Cottage.

Independent

The kind of a night that clears the palate.

The New York Times - Sports

But it could not overshadow a night that did not meet the standards Dickey has created.

The New York Times - Sports

A night that started with Evolution losing a member, ended with The Shield breaking.

Independent

This, however, was a night that questioned whether they are capable of winning it at all.

Independent

This was a night that was streamlined to avoid controversy or criticism.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a peculiar performance on a night that had its share of the unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a night that started so well for Spurs yet ended rather tamely.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, the Netherlands fittingly wore black on a night that turned funereal.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a lighthearted moment on a night that requires disappointing more diners than Maria would like.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a night that" to introduce a clause that provides specific details or characteristics about a particular night, enhancing clarity and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a night that" excessively in narratives where simpler sentence structures would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive or unnecessarily complex. Consider more concise phrasing when possible.

Linguistic Context

"A night that" functions as a relative clause, introducing further information or description about the night in question. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase helps to define and specify the particular qualities or events associated with that night. It commonly links a night to an event or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a night that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce descriptive clauses about a particular night, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its function is primarily to provide context or further information, and it appears frequently in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to avoid overuse in simple narratives for a more concise writing style. Considering alternatives such as "a night when" or descriptive adjectives can enhance writing quality and variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a night when

Replaces 'that' with 'when', focusing on the time aspect of the night.

the night that

Adds definiteness, referring to a specific night already known or implied.

an evening that

Substitutes "night" with "evening", changing the specific time frame while keeping the same structure.

a night to remember

Emphasizes the night's significance and lasting impact.

a special night

Indicates that the night was unique or significant.

one night that

Highlights a single night among many, emphasizing its distinctiveness.

a memorable night

Highlights the unforgettable quality of the night.

a fateful night

Suggests that the night was crucial and life-altering.

a particular night

Emphasizes a specific night being referenced.

a certain night

Similar to 'a particular night', indicating a specific but perhaps unspecified night.

FAQs

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

Use "a night that" to introduce a relative clause that describes or defines a specific night. For example, "It was "a night that changed everything"" or "This is "a night that I'll never forget"".

What are some alternatives to "a night that"?

Alternatives include "a night when", "an evening that", or more descriptive phrases like "a memorable night", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the night that" instead of "a night that"?

Yes, "the night that" is also correct, but it implies you are referring to a specific night already known or previously mentioned. "A night that" is used when introducing a night for the first time or when the specific night is not already established.

What's the difference between "a night that" and "a night of"?

"A night that" introduces a clause that describes the night, while "a night of" is typically followed by a noun indicating what the night was filled with (e.g., "a night of music"). They serve different grammatical functions.