by tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

"by tonight" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something needs to be done before the end of the current day. Example: I need to finish typing my essay by tonight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm not surprised by tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

"She might be by tonight".

The New York Times - Sports

By tonight she was more sober.

The New York Times

By tonight, there had been no arrests.

The New York Times

"By tonight, this conversation, it'll all be a dream".

The New York Times

"I might stop by tonight," he said quietly, rising.

The New Yorker

"I've seen four go by tonight," Mr. Ty said.

The New York Times - Style

By tonight, there were signs that Congressional Republicans were relenting.

The New York Times

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack by tonight.

The New York Times

By tonight, the two camps had reversed places.

The New York Times

The whereabouts of Mr. Sankoh was not clear by tonight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by tonight" when setting a clear deadline for something to be completed before the end of the current day. This provides a sense of urgency and specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "tonight" when you need to emphasize a deadline or the latest acceptable time for completion. "Tonight" simply refers to the evening, while "by tonight" implies an action must be finished before the night ends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by tonight" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something needs to be completed. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its common use in setting deadlines and expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by tonight" is a very common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a deadline or timeframe ending on the current day. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence across various sources, particularly in news and media. When using "by tonight", ensure clarity and consider the appropriate level of formality for your audience. Remember that while alternatives like "tonight" exist, they don't always convey the same sense of urgency or deadline. Use "by tonight" to establish clear expectations and deadlines for tasks and actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tonight

A shorter, more direct way of saying "by tonight", lacking the prepositional emphasis.

this evening

Similar to "tonight", but slightly more formal and emphasizes the evening period.

before the end of the day

Emphasizes the completion before the day concludes, broader than a specific evening timeframe.

by day's end

Similar to "before the end of the day", but can sound more poetic or emphatic.

later today

Indicates sometime later in the current day, less specific than "by tonight".

sometime before midnight

Highlights the deadline as before midnight, making the timeframe very clear.

by the close of business

Specifically refers to the end of the working day, common in professional settings.

before nightfall

Emphasizes completion before dark, useful in contexts where daylight matters.

prior to the evening

A more formal way of saying before the evening starts.

at some point tonight

Indicates an action will occur during the night, but doesn't specify a deadline.

FAQs

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

You can use "by tonight" to indicate a deadline or timeframe. For example, "I need that report "by tonight"" means the report should be finished before the end of the current day.

What are some alternatives to "by tonight"?

Alternatives include "tonight", "this evening", or "before the end of the day", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "by tonight" or "tonight"?

"By tonight" implies a deadline or latest acceptable time, whereas "tonight" simply refers to the evening. Use "by tonight" when you need to emphasize the completion timeframe.

What does "by tonight" mean?

"By tonight" means something needs to be finished or completed before the end of the current day. It sets a clear expectation for when a task or action should be done.