at sunrise

USAGE SUMMARY

"at sunrise" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it to describe something that is happening at or around the time of sunrise, such as, "The mountains were aglow at sunrise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I stopped at sunrise like a vampire".

Independent

The mystery dissolves like fog at sunrise.

The New York Times

When: Nov. 24 at sunrise.

The New York Times

"The helicopter leaves at sunrise.

The New Yorker

At sunrise, my body was burning.

The Guardian

At sunrise the conductivity always decreases.

Advances in Space Research

I stopped at sunrise, like a vampire.

The Guardian - Music

Dawn," or earlier in Hawaii, where he painted "At Sunrise.

The New York Times

He takes long walks at sunrise and rescues wounded animals.

The New York Times

No more renting space in Manhattan, or commuting at sunrise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The picture at Sunrise Mall has been mixed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at sunrise" to set a scene or indicate the beginning of an activity that occurs very early in the morning. For example, "The fishermen set out at sunrise to cast their nets."

Common error

Avoid using "at sunrise" when a more general time reference is appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The birds began to sing at sunrise, around 6 AM", simply state "The birds began to sing around 6 AM" if the exact timing of sunrise is not essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at sunrise" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the time at which an action occurs. Ludwig shows it is often used to specify the timing of events in descriptive or narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "at sunrise" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify the timing of an event, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and informal writing. While perfectly acceptable, remember to consider the precision needed in your writing and choose a more general time reference when appropriate. Common alternatives include "at dawn" and "early morning". Ludwig provides ample real-world examples demonstrating the versatility of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at dawn

Replaces "sunrise" with "dawn", another word for the beginning of the day.

at daybreak

Uses "daybreak" instead of "sunrise", emphasizing the breaking of daylight.

at sunup

A more concise and slightly less common synonym for "at sunrise".

first light

Focuses on the appearance of light, rather than the specific event of sunrise.

with the rising sun

Emphasizes the action of the sun rising, rather than the time itself.

at the crack of dawn

Emphasizes the earliness of the hour, suggesting activities occurring very early.

early morning

A more general term indicating the initial hours of the day, less specific than "at sunrise".

as the sun comes up

Describes the event of sunrise in a more descriptive, less formal way.

when the sun rises

Expresses the timing as a conditional clause, focusing on the event.

in the morning glow

Highlights the atmospheric effect and soft light present at sunrise, adding poetic tone.

FAQs

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

The phrase "at sunrise" typically functions as an adverbial phrase indicating when something occurs. For example, "The hikers planned to reach the summit "at sunrise" to enjoy the panoramic view".

What can I say instead of "at sunrise"?

You can use alternatives like "at dawn", "at daybreak", or "early morning" depending on the context and the level of precision required.

Is it correct to say "in sunrise" instead of "at sunrise"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "at". Saying "in sunrise" is grammatically incorrect. The proper usage is ""at sunrise"".

What's the difference between "at sunrise" and "before sunrise"?

"At sunrise" refers to the specific moment the sun appears over the horizon, while "before sunrise" indicates any time in the period leading up to that moment.