as evening fell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as evening fell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the transition from day to night, often setting a scene or mood in a narrative. Example: "As evening fell, the sky turned a deep shade of purple, and the stars began to twinkle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He has a green card and has been here many times, she said, but his plane landed at 1 p.m. and as evening fell he had not emerged.

Los Angeles Times

As evening fell, a cascade of storefront lights beckoned along the boulevard.

The New York Times

As evening fell, workers used flashlights to try to identify the dead.

The New York Times

Only when he had made that point clear to the warders, as evening fell, did he walk away.

The Economist

As evening fell on June 6, the 6th Airborne was generally in place and had achieved its objectives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As evening fell, police said the protests had been quelled, but there were unconfirmed reports of more gunfire.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

They flock there as evening falls, their black hoodies fluttering like bat wings.

The New York Times

As evening falls in Kiev, the two rallies continue to coexist more or less peacefully.

The Guardian

As evening falls, woodpeckers look for roosting cavities, either an old abandoned hole, or more frequently, a cavity they excavated specifically for roosting purposes.

Cornell University

As evening falls, Chinese and Korean young people, from nearby parts of Flushing, come for golf at the Flushing Meadows Pitch and Putt course, near the tennis center.

The New York Times

Back on the main stage, Warpaint's expansive, sexy, bassy grooves ring out as evening falls, ceding to Jon Hopkins's intense electronica.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as evening fell" to set a scene or create a specific mood, particularly in narrative writing. It evokes a sense of transition and can add a touch of elegance.

Common error

Avoid using "as evening fell" in technical or analytical writing where a more direct statement of time is appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or flowery in inappropriate situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as evening fell" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in the main clause of a sentence. It sets the time frame for the action being described, providing context and atmosphere, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as evening fell" is a common and grammatically correct temporal phrase used to set a scene or establish the time of day, as verified by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to slightly literary register. While versatile, it's best used in narrative or descriptive writing rather than technical analysis. Consider alternatives like "when night arrived" or "as dusk descended" for variety. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and provides helpful context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at nightfall

A simpler and more direct way to say when night begins.

when dusk descended

Replaces "evening" with "dusk" emphasizing the dimming of light.

as twilight deepened

Highlights the deepening of twilight, focusing on the increasing darkness.

as darkness gathered

Focuses on the gathering darkness, emphasizing the change in light.

when night arrived

Focuses on the arrival of night, removing the softer imagery of "evening".

when shadows lengthened

Highlights the lengthening of shadows, emphasizing the changing light and time of day.

when day turned to night

Describes the transition from day to night in a straightforward manner.

at the close of day

A more formal and literary way to describe the end of the day.

as the sun dipped low

Focuses on the sun's position in the sky as a marker of time.

with the setting sun

Emphasizes the visual of the sun setting, marking the end of the day.

FAQs

How can I use "as evening fell" in a sentence?

"As evening fell" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to describe the time when evening arrives. For example, "As evening fell, the city lights began to twinkle".

What are some synonyms for "as evening fell"?

You can use alternatives such as "when night arrived", "as dusk descended", or "at nightfall" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as evening fell" formal or informal?

The phrase "as evening fell" is generally considered to be neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal writing, but it's more commonly found in narrative or descriptive contexts rather than analytical writing.

Can I use "as evening fell" to describe a specific date or event?

While possible, it's more common to use "as evening fell" to describe a general scene or atmosphere rather than a specific event. For specific times and dates, consider using more precise language such as "on the evening of July 4th".