as sunset approaches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as sunset approaches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time period leading up to sunset, often to set a mood or context in a narrative. Example: "As sunset approaches, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors, signaling the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As sunset approaches, the light is getting more and more and lovely.

The Guardian - Travel

What I did not anticipate, however, was how quickly the city goes from calm to chaos as sunset approaches.

The New York Times - Travel

As sunset approaches, it's worth a trek up to La Mura for at least one more lap around Lucca before dusk.

The New York Times - Travel

In fact, there is no sky behind it, just a very clever lighting system; staff lower the lights as sunset approaches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It won't work though," said one man walking briskly through a central city street as sunset approached.

The Guardian

As sunset approached, a tinny warning blared from a loudspeaker atop the mosque in the village of Khirbet al-Jouz, across a cow pasture from the tent city.

The New York Times

As sunset approached yesterday, inquiries were made to a handful of businesses that, presumably, would flourish under the cover of darkness.

The New York Times

As sunset approached, protesters began to settle into a camp of a dozen white tents, spreading their blankets and vowing to remain in Tahrir Square until their demands for justice were met.

The New York Times

As sunset approached on a warm, slightly breezy Thursday evening, the slowly advancing tide of Dodger Blue outside the stadium was laced with currents of a darker shade, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, ubiquitous on foot, horseback, mountain bicycles and motorcycle, with at least as many inside.

The New York Times - Sports

One night, as sunset approached, Wagh stuck with one rickshaw driver.

Forbes

As sunset approached, the tribes gathered and were welcomed and seated.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as sunset approaches" to create a sense of anticipation or transition in your writing. It can effectively set the scene for events happening in the evening.

Common error

Avoid using "as sunset approaches" excessively in dialogue. It sounds unnatural in everyday conversation. Opt for more colloquial alternatives like "it's getting late" or "the sun's going down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as sunset approaches" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify a timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound. Examples show its use to set the scene or describe events occurring near sunset.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

25%

Lifestyle

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as sunset approaches" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that provides temporal context, indicating the period leading up to sunset. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although not extremely common, it is frequently found in news articles, travel writing, and lifestyle content, serving to set a scene or describe a transition. While it can be used in various contexts, alternatives like "near sunset" or "as dusk descends" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Overusing it in dialogue should also be avoided for a more natural sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near sunset

A shorter, more direct way to indicate the time close to sunset.

as the sun goes down

Focuses on the action of the sun setting.

when evening nears

Highlights the approach of evening.

at twilight

Refers to the specific period of twilight.

as dusk descends

Emphasizes the gradual darkening of the sky.

in the late afternoon

A broader time frame, including the period before sunset.

towards nightfall

Highlights the coming of night.

as day fades

Focuses on the fading of daylight.

before dark

Indicates a time before it gets dark.

with the setting sun

Links the action to the setting sun.

FAQs

How can I use "as sunset approaches" in a sentence?

Use "as sunset approaches" to describe a period before sunset. For example: "As sunset approaches, the air cools down."

What can I say instead of "as sunset approaches"?

You can use alternatives like "near sunset", "as dusk descends", or "when evening nears" depending on the context.

Is "as sunset approaches" formal or informal?

The phrase "as sunset approaches" is relatively neutral and can be used in various contexts, but it may sound slightly more formal than simpler alternatives like ""near sunset"".

What's the difference between "as sunset approaches" and "at sunset"?

"As sunset approaches" describes the time leading up to sunset, while "at sunset" refers to the exact moment the sun sets.