at sunset

USAGE SUMMARY

'at sunset' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time when the sun is setting, either literally or figuratively. For example, "We stopped at a lake to watch the sun set at sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

That void at sunset?

The New York Times

* Glastonbury tor at sunset.

Independent

The heat intensified at sunset.

The New Yorker

Thompson Ridge fire at sunset.

The New York Times

Being there at sunset was pretty special.

Independent

She is a silhouette at sunset.

The New York Times - Arts

They reached Rosa Steele's farm at sunset.

The New Yorker

Theater productions at Sunset pose some problems.

The New York Times

(But beatable it is: go at sunset).

The New York Times

We landed in Lisbon at sunset.

The New Yorker

At sunset he called me in.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at sunset" to vividly describe scenes and evoke emotions, especially in descriptive writing or storytelling.

Common error

Avoid replacing "at sunset" with "in sunset". The correct preposition to use is "at" to denote the specific time when the sun sets.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at sunset" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase indicating time. It modifies a verb or clause to specify when an action occurs, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples like, "They reached Rosa Steele's farm at sunset" and "We landed in Lisbon at sunset".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at sunset" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something occurs when the sun is setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase that adds temporal context to a sentence, and it appears frequently in various source types, especially in News & Media and Travel. Alternative phrases like "at twilight" or "as dusk approaches" can provide similar meaning while diversifying your language. When using this phrase, be sure to use the preposition "at" rather than "in". Overall, "at sunset" is a versatile and useful phrase for vividly describing scenes and indicating time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at twilight

Synonymous with "at sunset", but can also refer to the period after sunset.

at nightfall

Refers to the beginning of night, closely following sunset.

as dusk approaches

This phrase focuses on the progression towards evening, rather than a fixed point in time.

as the sun dips

Focuses on the sun's movement below the horizon, highlighting the visual event.

when evening falls

Highlights the arrival of evening, emphasizing the transition from day.

as night descends

Focuses on the progression into night, rather than the specific moment of sunset.

at close of day

A more formal way of saying "at the end of the day", referring to sunset time.

in the gloaming

Uses a more poetic term for twilight, suggesting a softer, more atmospheric evening.

when day ends

Emphasizes the conclusion of the day, broader than just the sunset period.

toward evening

Indicates a general timeframe approaching sunset, less precise than "at sunset".

FAQs

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

You can use "at sunset" to describe a time or event that occurs as the sun is setting. For example, "The beach is a gathering spot "at sunset"." or "We landed in Lisbon "at sunset"."

What's a more poetic way to say "at sunset"?

Phrases like "at twilight" or "in the gloaming" can add a more evocative and literary feel when describing the time the sun sets.

Is it correct to say "during sunset" instead of "at sunset"?

While "during sunset" isn't grammatically incorrect, "at sunset" is more precise and commonly used to pinpoint the moment the sun disappears below the horizon. "During sunset" might imply a longer period encompassing the sunset.

What does "at sunset" mean?

"At sunset" refers to the specific time of day when the sun disappears below the horizon, marking the transition from day to night.