by late daylight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by late daylight" is not commonly used in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used to refer to a time when daylight is fading, typically in the late afternoon or early evening. Example: "We should finish our hike by late daylight to avoid getting lost in the dark."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I took him for granted: those faces of Native Americans, those everyday tasks, those searing looks from the inside of tepees lit by late daylight.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Michael Downing ("Endless Summer," Op-Ed, Aug. 9) brings some much-needed sense to the latest daylight saving time follies.

The New York Times

What a pleasantly surreal way to wake up late for Daylight Savings.

Huffington Post

Raccoons usually mate in a period triggered by increasing daylight between late January and mid-March.

Wikipedia

His photographs showed wardens chasing poachers by daylight and by headlight.

The New Yorker

A fire sparked by the crash was out by daylight.

Los Angeles Times

They were both sleep-dazed, confused by the daylight.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's much easier to see when illuminated by bright daylight or a lamp.

The New York Times

The maze was located on an outside table and illuminated by open daylight.

Plosone

The exchange, tempered by daylight, was cordial.

The New Yorker

By daylight on Tuesday none remained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context. The phrase "by late daylight" may not be universally understood, so ensure it fits the tone and clarity needed for your specific readers.

Common error

Avoid using "by late daylight" if you need to specify an exact time. This phrase is vague and indicates a period rather than a precise moment. Use a specific time or a more precise phrase like "by dusk" or "around sunset" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by late daylight" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a time or condition related to the fading daylight. Ludwig indicates that it is not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by late daylight" is a grammatically acceptable, but infrequently used, prepositional phrase that specifies a time or condition dependent on the fading daylight. Ludwig AI analysis identifies its primary function as an adverbial modifier indicating a temporal boundary. While understandable, the phrase isn't as common as alternatives like "by dusk" or "before nightfall". It may cause confusion since it is not commonly used in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as daylight fades

Focuses on the fading aspect of daylight, rather than a specific time.

near dusk

Specifies the period around dusk instead of using the general "late daylight".

at twilight

Refers to the period of twilight, which is more specific than "late daylight".

before nightfall

Emphasizes avoiding the darkness instead of pinpointing the time.

in the evening light

Highlights the quality of light during the evening period.

as day turns to night

Describes the transition from day to night, emphasizing the change.

in the gloaming

Uses a more poetic term, "gloaming", to describe the fading light.

during the final daylight hours

Stresses that it is within the hours of daylight, close to the end.

towards the end of the day

Indicates proximity to the end of the day, regardless of daylight.

in fading light

Highlights the diminishing quality of the light without reference to a specific time.

FAQs

What does "by late daylight" mean?

The phrase "by late daylight" refers to the time when daylight is fading, typically in the late afternoon or early evening, close to sunset. It indicates a period with diminishing natural light.

How can I use "by late daylight" in a sentence?

You can use "by late daylight" to indicate a deadline or a condition that needs to be met while there is still some daylight left, such as, "We should finish setting up camp "by late daylight" to avoid navigating in the dark."

What are some alternatives to "by late daylight"?

Alternatives include "near dusk", "at twilight", or "before nightfall", depending on the context and desired level of precision.

Is "by late daylight" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "by late daylight" isn't a particularly common phrase. More common alternatives like "by dusk" or "before dark" are often preferred for clarity and familiarity.