as night falls

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as night falls" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the transition from day to night, often evoking a sense of atmosphere or mood. Example: "As night falls, the city lights begin to twinkle, creating a magical ambiance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As night falls the column retreats.

The New Yorker

As night falls the column retreats..

The New Yorker

The glamour intensifies as night falls.

The Guardian - Travel

For optimal views, get there as night falls.

The New York Times - Travel

Today it feels safe, even as night falls.

Independent

As night falls, we make a big effort.

The New Yorker

As night falls, a fog rises, muffling the air.

The New Yorker

As night falls, their faces gradually fade into the darkness.

The Guardian - Books

The dishes are a viable option as night falls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As night falls, the flower sellers take to the streets.

The Guardian

And as night falls, it's just above freezing in Des Moines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as night falls" to create a sense of atmosphere or transition in your writing. It works well in both descriptive and narrative contexts.

Common error

While "as night falls" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "at sunset" or "at the end of the diurnal period" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as night falls" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its use in setting scenes and describing events that happen during the transition to night.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

1.67%

Academia

1.67%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as night falls" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the transition from day to night. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, mainly in the News & Media category. While versatile, it’s best suited for descriptive and narrative contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Related phrases like "as darkness descends" or "when evening arrives" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. When writing, consider the context and avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific pieces. The phrase effectively sets a scene and creates a sense of atmosphere, making it a valuable tool for writers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as darkness descends

Focuses on the arrival of darkness, emphasizing the obscuring effect of night.

when evening arrives

Highlights the arrival of evening as the point in time.

when twilight comes

Emphasizes the soft, fading light of twilight before complete darkness.

as day turns to night

Highlights the transformation process from day to night.

at the close of day

More formal and literary, emphasizing the end of the day.

as shadows lengthen

Focuses on the visual effect of lengthening shadows as the sun sets.

with the setting sun

Highlights the setting sun as the marker of the transition.

when the sun goes down

Simple and direct, referring to the sun's descent below the horizon.

at dusk

A concise way of indicating the time when night is beginning to fall.

as the light fades

Emphasizes the diminishing light as the day ends.

FAQs

How can I use "as night falls" in a sentence?

You can use "as night falls" to describe the transition from day to night, often setting a mood or describing a scene. For example, "As night falls, the city lights begin to twinkle."

What phrases are similar to "as night falls"?

Similar phrases include "as darkness descends", "when evening arrives", or "when twilight comes". They all refer to the transition from daylight to darkness.

Is "as night falls" formal or informal?

"As night falls" is generally considered neutral in tone. It is appropriate for most writing contexts, but may be less suitable for highly formal or scientific writing where more precise language is preferred.

What's the difference between "as night falls" and "at night"?

"As night falls" describes the transition into nighttime, while "at night" simply refers to something happening during the night. For example, "As night falls, the owls begin to hunt," versus "Owls hunt "at night"."