broad daylight

USAGE SUMMARY

"broad daylight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a time of day when it is very bright and sunny outside. For example: "He stepped out into the open in broad daylight, without a care in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Broad daylight.

The New Yorker

In broad daylight.

The New York Times

It's still broad daylight.

The New Yorker

It was broad daylight. . . .

The New Yorker

This happened in broad daylight".

Independent

A badger in broad daylight?

Independent

It was broad daylight...

The New Yorker

Even in broad daylight".

The New York Times

But in broad daylight?

The Guardian - Sport

Owls hooted in broad daylight.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was broad daylight outside.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad daylight" to emphasize the boldness or unexpectedness of an action or event occurring during a time when it is easily visible.

Common error

Avoid using "broad daylight" when simply describing a daytime setting. Reserve it for situations where the visibility is relevant to the action or unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad daylight" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to emphasize the time and circumstances of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad daylight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that functions adverbially to describe events occurring openly during the day. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to emphasize the visibility and often unexpected nature of an action. Related phrases include "bright daylight" and "full daylight", offering similar meanings. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the implications it carries, suggesting boldness or unusual circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bright daylight

This alternative simply uses a different adjective to describe the daylight.

full daylight

This uses "full" to emphasize the completeness of the daylight.

clear daylight

This alternative highlights the clarity and visibility afforded by the daylight.

middle of the day

This phrase refers to the time of day when daylight is at its peak.

light of day

This is a more general term referring to the presence of daylight.

in open sight

Focuses on visibility aspect during daylight.

under the sun

This phrase emphasizes being exposed or visible during the daytime.

during the day

A simple and direct alternative to specify an action occurred during the day.

in full view

Emphasizes that something is easily seen, often implying openness.

plainly visible

Focuses on the fact that something can be easily seen because of the good lighting conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "broad daylight" in a sentence?

Use "broad daylight" to emphasize that something happened openly and visibly during the day. For example, "The crime occurred in "broad daylight", making witnesses readily available".

What are some alternatives to "broad daylight"?

You can use alternatives such as "bright daylight", "full daylight", or "middle of the day" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in broad daylight" or "during broad daylight"?

"In "broad daylight"" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "During broad daylight" is less idiomatic.

What does it imply when something happens in "broad daylight"?

It typically implies that the event was either audacious, unexpected, or easily observable because it occurred when visibility was high and many people were likely to be around.