at night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at night" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the nighttime hours, often to set the time of day for a particular activity. For example, "I often take my dog for a walk at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not at night?

The New Yorker

He studied at night.

The Economist

Rats scurry at night.

The New York Times

They came at night.

The Economist

"The city at night.

The New York Times

The tractors' at night,.

The New Yorker

Out at night?

The New York Times - Food

Mulholland Drive at night.

Independent

"At night it's freezing..

The New Yorker

I recharge at night.

The New York Times

It's bad at night.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at night" in your writing, ensure it clearly specifies when an action or event takes place. For improved clarity, avoid ambiguity with phrases like "during the night" if you need to emphasize duration.

Common error

Avoid using "in the night" unless you're referring to a specific night. "At night" is generally preferred for habitual or general occurrences, while "in the night" implies a particular night. For example, "I usually sleep at night", but "I heard a noise in the night".

How to use

Learn how to use "at night" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at night" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying verbs to indicate when an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples show it specifying the timing of events, as in "Owls usually hunt at night."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "at night" correctly indicates that something occurs during nighttime. Ludwig AI validates this, demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki articles. Common uses include specifying when activities happen or describing nocturnal phenomena. While "at night" is generally correct, avoid confusing it with "in the night", which refers to a particular night. Alternative expressions include "during the night" and "after dark". Therefore, ensure that your context clearly conveys the intended meaning, and this guide provides helpful tips to avoid common errors and enhance clarity. As

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the night

Replaces "at night" with a slightly more formal alternative, emphasizing the duration of the night.

at nighttime

Slightly redundant but still conveys the same meaning as "at night".

in the nighttime

Offers a more descriptive variation, highlighting the period of darkness.

after dark

Focuses on the onset of night, implying a time following sunset.

in the evening

Can sometimes be used interchangeably, though it refers more specifically to the early part of the night.

in darkness

Emphasizes the absence of light during the night.

under the stars

Adds a poetic element, suggesting an outdoor setting during the night.

when it's dark

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the condition of darkness.

nightly

Functions as an adverb, implying something that happens every night.

late in the day

A broader term that can encompass the evening and night hours.

FAQs

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

"At night" is used to indicate when something occurs during the nighttime hours. For example, "Owls hunt "at night"" or "The city comes alive "at night"".

What's the difference between "at night" and "during the night"?

"At night" generally refers to something that happens regularly or habitually during the night. "During the night" emphasizes the duration of an event. For instance, "I sleep "at night"" versus "It rained heavily during the night".

What can I say instead of "at night"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "during the night", "in the nighttime", or "after dark". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it ever correct to say "in night" instead of "at night"?

No, "in night" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct preposition to use is "at", so the proper phrase is always ""at night"".