at nightfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at nightfall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time of day when night begins, often associated with the setting sun. Example: "The village was quiet at nightfall, as the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the hills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

AT nightfall on October 28th everyone knew who had won Ukraine's parliamentary elections.

The Economist

The fighting ended at nightfall.

The New York Times

Autumnal leaves flutter down at nightfall.

The Guardian - Film

The lake at nightfall is less a lake,.

The New Yorker

At nightfall, their eyeballs blink with flashes of bewitching light.

The New York Times

At nightfall, a final silent choice is offered.

The Guardian

At nightfall he and a guide set off.

The Guardian

A search for the helicopter was suspended at nightfall.

The New York Times

Her husband hid in the fields, returning only at nightfall.

The New York Times

At nightfall, more protesters were massing at the airport.

The New York Times

At nightfall they arrived at a Saxon village.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at nightfall" to create a sense of time and atmosphere in descriptive writing. It's particularly effective when setting a scene or indicating a change in circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "at nightfall" interchangeably with "at night". "At nightfall" refers specifically to the transition period when day turns into night, whereas "at night" encompasses the entire duration of darkness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at nightfall" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the time when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show it being used to denote a specific point in time at the beginning of the night.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at nightfall" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to specify a point in time when day transitions into night. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it finds frequent application across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using "at nightfall", remember to differentiate it from "at night", which refers to the entire duration of darkness, and consider alternatives such as "as darkness descends" or "when evening arrives" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as darkness descends

Emphasizes the coming of darkness, differing in the focus on the transition.

when evening arrives

Highlights the arrival of evening, changing the perspective slightly.

at the close of day

Formal and literary, focusing on the end of the day.

as the sun sets

Specifically refers to the setting of the sun, adding detail.

at twilight's hour

Poetic and emphasizes the dim light of twilight.

in the late evening

Refers to a broader time frame within the evening.

under the cloak of night

More figurative, suggesting secrecy or concealment.

when the stars appear

Focuses on the appearance of stars, shifting the emphasis.

as dusk settles

Emphasizes the settling of dusk, providing a sense of calm.

at close of business

A phrase commonly used in formal or business setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "at nightfall" to describe when an event occurs, such as, "The search party returned "at nightfall"." or "The animals become more active "at nightfall"".

What's a more formal alternative to "at nightfall"?

A more formal alternative could be "at the close of day", which carries a slightly more literary or traditional tone.

Is there a difference between "at nightfall" and "at dusk"?

"At nightfall" and "at dusk" are very similar, both referring to the transition from day to night. "At dusk" might emphasize the dimming of light more, while "at nightfall" simply marks the beginning of night.

Can I use "at nightfall" in scientific writing?

Yes, "at nightfall" is appropriate for scientific writing when specifying the time of an observation or event. For example, "The insects exhibit increased bioluminescence "at nightfall"".