as the night develops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the night develops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe changes or events that occur during the progression of the night. Example: "As the night develops, the stars begin to twinkle more brightly in the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the night develops, we become aware of how confidently Schipper uses his limited time.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As the afternoon developed, Wales took a foothold in the match.

The Guardian - Sport

But as the evening developed, and MPs spoke, Benn reworked his words.

The Guardian

At no point did Irwin look like making a comeback, as the afternoon developed into a similar pattern.

The Guardian - Sport

After a stolid account of the overture, debutant Fergus Macleod in the pit kept things moving nicely and lightly, daring some crisp tempi as the evening developed, though this brilliant score deserves a dash more orchestral sparkle.

The Guardian - Music

"They showed up here 15 minutes ago," the mayor said of Port Authority officials at an 11 a.m. news conference at the bunker, where all major city agencies had been represented through the night as the storm developed.

The New York Times

Interestingly, one screened patient tested negative for colonization in the morning, whereas developed clinical signs of conjunctivitis in the evening.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Together with other nearby units, they helped to evacuate people as the crisis developed on the night of 12/13 June 2011.

Bulletin of Volcanology

Reduce watering as the plant develops.

WikiHow

Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA 1.11pm BST There were some atmospheric images out of Washington last night as the government crisis developed.

The Guardian

As the script developed he renamed it.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the night develops" to set the scene for a story or describe how a situation changes over time during the night. For example, "As the night develops, the atmosphere in the city becomes more vibrant and energetic."

Common error

Avoid using "as the night develops" too frequently in dialogue, as it can sound unnatural. Opt for simpler, more conversational alternatives like "later tonight" or "as the evening goes on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the night develops" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something happens. As Ludwig suggests, it sets the stage for unfolding events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as the night develops" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase, that describes how a situation or event unfolds over the course of the night. According to Ludwig, this phrase is best used to set the scene or to suggest a change over time. While it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific and general writing. To avoid overuse in dialogue, consider simpler alternatives like "later tonight". Overall, this phrase is a versatile tool for writers looking to add temporal context to their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as night unfolds

Replaces "develops" with a more evocative verb, maintaining the sense of gradual progression.

as the evening progresses

Substitutes "night" for "evening" and "develops" for "progresses", creating a slightly more formal tone.

during the course of the night

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate the time frame, emphasizing the events that occur within it.

over the course of the night

Similar to "during the course of the night" but with a slightly different preposition.

as darkness deepens

Focuses on the increasing darkness as the night goes on, implying a change in atmosphere or events.

as the hours of darkness pass

A more poetic way to describe the progression of the night, highlighting the passage of time.

with the coming of night

Emphasizes the arrival of night as the starting point for subsequent events.

when night falls

Similar to "with the coming of night", but with a more concise and common expression.

as nighttime advances

Uses a more formal verb to describe the progression of night, suggesting a more structured or predictable sequence of events.

as the night wears on

Implies a sense of duration and potential weariness or anticipation as the night continues.

FAQs

How can I use "as the night develops" in a sentence?

You can use "as the night develops" to describe changes or events that occur during the progression of the night. For instance, "As the night develops, the music grows louder and more people arrive."

What are some alternatives to "as the night develops"?

Alternatives include "as night unfolds", "as the evening progresses", or "during the course of the night" depending on the context.

Is "as the night develops" formal or informal?

"As the night develops" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for both writing and speaking, though more casual conversations might use simpler phrasing.

What's the difference between "as the night develops" and "later that night"?

"As the night develops" suggests a gradual unfolding of events over time, while "later that night" simply refers to a point in time after something else has already occurred. The first is descriptive, the latter is punctual.