by evening

USAGE SUMMARY

"by evening" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to denote a specific time in the evening, for example "I had finished the project by evening".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He is home by evening.

The New Yorker

It would be dry by evening.

The New Yorker

By evening, the boy was dead.

The New York Times - Tech

By evening, they could see soldiers approaching.

The New Yorker

By evening, a hospital.

The Washington Post

By evening, Renzi was Prime Minister.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"By that evening.

Independent

By noon, maybe 115.

The New York Times

"We sold out by noon".

The New Yorker

By noon, disaster had struck.

The New York Times

By midday, Mr. ElBaradei had resigned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by evening" to set a clear deadline or timeframe for something to be completed or occur. For instance, "The report needs to be submitted by evening" clearly indicates the expected timeframe.

Common error

While "by evening" is generally understood, be mindful of your audience. If precision is needed, specify a more exact time. Instead of "I'll finish it by evening", consider "I'll finish it by 6 PM" to avoid any misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by evening" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a deadline or timeframe before or during the evening. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts to indicate when something should be completed or when an event occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by evening" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal marker, as confirmed by Ludwig. Functioning as an adverbial phrase, it sets deadlines and expectations regarding when actions should be completed. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Consider specifying a more precise time if the context demands clarity. Alternatives like "by nightfall" or "before evening" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "by evening" provides a common and clear way to denote a timeframe, effectively communicating temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by nightfall

Focuses more specifically on the arrival of darkness.

before evening

Emphasizes the period leading up to evening, but it's less direct than 'by evening'.

as evening approached

Describes the process of evening arriving rather than a deadline.

later that day

A more general time reference if the evening is implied from the context.

in the p.m.

A more clinical term for specifying a time of day in the afternoon or evening.

by suppertime

Focuses on mealtime rather than the general time of evening.

before dark

Focuses on the absence of light rather than a specific time.

by close of day

A more formal reference to the end of the working day, can include the evening.

by the end of the day

Implies the entire day's duration, not specifically the evening.

by eventide

A more archaic or poetic term for evening.

FAQs

How can I use "by evening" in a sentence?

You can use "by evening" to indicate a deadline or a point in time. For example, "The task needs to be completed "by evening"." or "By evening, the storm had passed."

What's the difference between "by evening" and "in the evening"?

"By evening" indicates a deadline or a point of completion before or during the evening, whereas "in the evening" refers to an activity or state occurring during the evening. For example, "The work was due "by evening"" versus "I like to read "in the evening"".

What can I say instead of "by evening"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "by nightfall", "before evening", or "later that day".

Is it correct to say "by the evening" instead of "by evening"?

While "by the evening" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""by evening"" is more common and natural. "By the evening" might be used in specific contexts where you want to emphasize a particular evening.