but tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but tonight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific time frame, often contrasting with other times or situations. Example: "I usually prefer to stay in, but tonight I feel like going out and having some fun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But tonight?

The New York Times

But tonight, bring it on!

The New York Times

"But tonight we've gone further".

The Guardian

But tonight was different.

The New York Times

But tonight, defense prevailed.

The New York Times - Sports

"But tonight — I think that might change".

The New York Times

But tonight they leave Shea unusually content.

The Economist

But tonight, we turn the page".

The New Yorker

But tonight I'm celebrating," he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But last night was different.

Independent

But last night was interesting.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but tonight" to introduce a contrast with a previous situation, expectation, or habit. It sets a specific temporal boundary for the exception.

Common error

Avoid using "but tonight" excessively in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "however, this evening" may be more appropriate for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but tonight" functions as a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast or exception specifically related to the current evening. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and used to indicate a specific timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but tonight" is a grammatically correct and very common conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast related to the current evening. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's widely used in news and media contexts to highlight exceptions or changes in circumstances. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for alternatives like "however, this evening" for a more professional tone. Understanding its function and purpose allows for effective communication and nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, this evening

Replaces "but" with "however" while keeping the focus on the current evening, providing a slightly more formal tone.

yet tonight

Substitutes "but" with "yet", maintaining a similar contrasting meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

nevertheless, tonight

Offers a more formal alternative to "but", emphasizing a stronger sense of contrast or unexpectedness.

even so, tonight

Similar to "nevertheless", providing a contrasting element related to the specific evening.

in contrast, tonight

Explicitly states the contrasting nature, emphasizing the difference between the current evening and other times.

on the other hand, tonight

Introduces a contrasting perspective specifically for this evening.

still, tonight

Similar to "yet", implying a contrast while maintaining a simpler tone.

that being said, tonight

A more conversational way to introduce a contrast specific to the current evening.

tonight, however

Inverts the structure, placing emphasis on the evening itself while still providing a contrast.

tonight, though

Adds a casual contrasting element, ending the sentence with "though" to imply a change or difference.

FAQs

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

"But tonight" is used to show a contrast with something that happened before or something that is generally true. For example, "I usually stay in, "but tonight" I'm going out".

What can I say instead of "but tonight"?

You can use alternatives like "however, this evening", "yet tonight", or "nevertheless, tonight" depending on the context.

Is "but tonight" grammatically correct?

Yes, "but tonight" is grammatically correct. It is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast specific to the evening in question.

What's the difference between "but tonight" and "but last night"?

"But tonight" refers to the current evening, while "but last night" refers to the previous evening. The distinction is simply the time frame being referenced.