at eve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at eve" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat archaic.
It can be used to refer to the evening or the time around sunset, often in a poetic or literary context. Example: "The villagers gathered at eve to share stories by the fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But Adam does not gaze at Eve.

The New York Times - Arts

Fatted from the day,overripe and eventoxic at eve.

The New Yorker

We're still mad at Eve for eating that apple?

The New York Times

Membership was $1 a year, and the parties ran from "nine at eve 'til two in the morn".

The Guardian - Books

"Genesis outcast" could have been Adam, but only when you pinpoint that 51 Across should be three letters do you arrive at EVE.

The New York Times

A book of drawings, "The Stage at Eve", had considerable success here, and an English publishing firm decided to bring it out over there.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

We discuss the system performance in perspective of the SINR requirement at IRs, the allowable SINR threshold at Eves, the EH model at ERs, and the number of antennas at the transmitter.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In May, bidding for a shield used in religious ceremonies at Acoma Pueblo was scheduled to begin at the Eve auction house in Paris.

The Guardian

She said: "At the end of her [Lady Thatcher's] speech at an eve of poll meeting, the chairman said, 'ladies and gentlemen I would like you to know that you have just been listening to a future prime minister'.

BBC

In 2010, researchers at HP's Social Computing Lab published a study claiming that Twitter activity at the eve of a movie's release could foreshadow the film's subsequent box office failure or success.

Huffington Post

Take a look at the returns of the Massachusetts Investors Trust from a $15 monthly investment beginning at the eve of the 1929 crash.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at eve" to lend a poetic or slightly archaic tone to your writing, especially when describing peaceful or reflective scenes.

Common error

Avoid using "at eve" in contexts that require a modern or informal tone, as it can sound out of place. Opt for more contemporary alternatives like "in the evening" or "at dusk" in everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at eve" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's recognized as somewhat archaic. The examples show it used to describe events happening during the evening.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at eve" is a grammatically sound but archaic way to describe events occurring in the evening. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it's best reserved for contexts where an old-fashioned or poetic tone is desired. More common alternatives include "in the evening" or "at dusk". The usage patterns indicate that it occasionally appears in news and media sources, and scientific contexts and the register is formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the evening

A more common and less formal way to refer to the same time of day.

at dusk

Refers specifically to the time just before night, when the light is fading.

as night falls

A more descriptive and slightly poetic way to indicate the beginning of night.

when evening comes

A slightly more formal and literary alternative.

toward nightfall

Indicates the approach of night.

at twilight

Similar to dusk, referring to the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon.

in the gloaming

An archaic term for twilight or dusk, adding a sense of mystery or romance.

as day ends

Focuses on the conclusion of the day.

when the sun sets

Directly references the setting of the sun as the marker of time.

at eventide

A very formal and somewhat antiquated term for evening.

FAQs

What does "at eve" mean?

"At eve" is an archaic phrase that means in the evening or at nightfall. It's often used in literature and poetry to evoke a sense of old times or a tranquil atmosphere.

How can I use "at eve" in a sentence?

You might say, "The villagers gathered "at eve" to share stories by the fire" or "A cool breeze stirred "at eve", bringing relief from the day's heat."

What can I say instead of "at eve"?

You can use alternatives like "in the evening", "at dusk", or "as night falls depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "at eve" in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "at eve" is considered archaic and is not commonly used in modern English. It's more suitable for literary or historical contexts where an old-fashioned tone is desired.