at midnight

USAGE SUMMARY

"at midnight" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a specific time of day, typically the time when the day changes over from one date to the next, such as 12:00 AM. For example: "We'll start the meeting at midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now at midnight you walk around free.

The New York Times

The Devils got home at midnight Sunday.

The New York Times

That was at midnight.

The Guardian - Sport

At midnight tears.

The New Yorker

PASTA at midnight.

The New York Times - Food

Late summer, and at midnight.

The New Yorker

The show ended at midnight.

The New York Times

Nay, it closed at midnight.

The New Yorker

The bus left at midnight.

The New Yorker

My day's over at midnight.

The New York Times

Judo at midnight?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at midnight" avoid ambiguity by clarifying the date if the context is unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "in midnight" or "on midnight"; the correct preposition is "at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at midnight" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event takes place. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at midnight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase indicating a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples from reliable sources across various domains. While alternatives like "at 12 AM" or "at the stroke of midnight" exist for stylistic variation, "at midnight" remains a clear and versatile choice for specifying the end of a day and the start of another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at 12 AM

Specifies the exact time on a 12-hour clock.

at the stroke of midnight

Emphasizes the precise moment of midnight.

when the day turns

Focuses on the transition from one day to the next.

at the witching hour

Implies a mysterious or supernatural time, often midnight.

at the beginning of the day

Highlights the start of a new day.

at the end of the night

Emphasizes the conclusion of the night.

late at night

Indicates a time close to midnight, but less precise.

in the dead of night

Conveys a sense of stillness and darkness at night.

after dark

General time reference after sunset. Not as specific as at midnight

around midnight

Implies approximation of the exact time

FAQs

How to use "at midnight" in a sentence?

You can use "at midnight" to indicate the precise time something happens, such as "The event will begin "at midnight"."

What can I say instead of "at midnight"?

You can use alternatives like "at 12 AM", "at the stroke of midnight", or "when the day turns" depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Which is correct, "at midnight" or "in midnight"?

"At midnight" is the correct prepositional phrase to use. "In midnight" is grammatically incorrect.

Is it correct to say "midnight tonight"?

Yes, "midnight tonight" is a common and acceptable way to refer to midnight on the current day. It's often used for emphasis or clarification.