at tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at tonight" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It is incorrect because "at" is not the appropriate preposition to use with "tonight." Example: "We will meet tonight at 7 PM."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

There would be questions, too, about Mr. O'Brien's potential at another network after the disappointment at "Tonight".

The New York Times

That's the sort of thing we will have to look at tonight".

The Guardian - Sport

Look at tonight, with Frank Lampard's finish [for England's second goal]." He modestly refrains from emphasising his own part in that winner.

Independent

The ratings travails at "Tonight" have certainly been exacerbated by the network's prime time woes — and Thursday has become especially problematic for Mr. Leno.

The New York Times

When looking at tonight, for all the noise, for all the intensity, when it comes down to it, it'll be a game of cat and mouse.

Independent

He did not deny that he takes pride in his long success at "Tonight," which often came in the face of persistent critics and doubters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Tonight at midnight?

Los Angeles Times

exposure at noon, mortality at midnight".

The New Yorker

That was at midnight.

The Guardian - Sport

And at night.

The New York Times

It transforms at night.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "at tonight", opt for "tonight" or "this evening" for clarity and grammatical accuracy. This improves the readability and professionalism of your writing.

Common error

Don't use "at" before "tonight". It's grammatically incorrect. Always use "tonight" or "this evening" instead to avoid this common mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at tonight" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to specify a time. However, it's grammatically incorrect; Ludwig AI indicates that the preposition "at" is inappropriate in this context. Correct usage omits "at", using only "tonight".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at tonight" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that "at" is not the correct preposition to use with "tonight". Although examples can be found, primarily in news and media sources, it's best to use "tonight" or "this evening" instead. This ensures clarity and correctness in your writing. Avoid using "at tonight" to maintain a professional and grammatically sound style. Alternatives like "this evening" or simply "tonight" are recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tonight

A simpler and more direct way of referring to the current night.

this evening

Replaces "at tonight" with a more grammatically correct and common phrase for the same time period.

later tonight

Specifies that something will happen later during the current night.

this night

Emphasizes the current night but is less common than "tonight" or "this evening".

during tonight

Highlights an activity or event taking place throughout the night.

on this night

Adds a formal tone, suitable for specific contexts.

in the course of the evening

Offers a more elaborate way to indicate something happening during the night.

in this evening

A less common but somewhat similar way of saying "this evening".

on the night in question

Suitable when referring to a specific night previously mentioned.

presently

Indicates something happening soon, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "tonight" in a sentence?

Use "tonight" directly without the preposition "at". For example, say "I am going to the concert tonight" instead of "I am going to the concert at tonight".

What are some alternatives to "at tonight"?

You can use alternatives such as "this evening", or simply "tonight", which are grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Is it ever correct to use "at" with a time reference like "tonight"?

While "at" is used with specific times (e.g., "at 7 PM"), it's not used with general time references like "tonight". Use "on" for days (e.g., "on Monday") and "in" for months or years (e.g., "in July", "in 2024").

What's the difference between using "tonight" and "this evening"?

"Tonight" is a more general term for the evening, while "this evening" might be used to emphasize the current evening in contrast to other evenings. They are often interchangeable.