chiefly at night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly at night" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something primarily occurs during the nighttime hours. Example: "The wildlife in this area is chiefly active at night, making it a perfect time for nocturnal observations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Emergence occurs chiefly at night when humidity is high.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

But the action of Ulysses was chiefly during the daytime, and the action of my new work takes place chiefly at night.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the Empire collapsed apace, he'd had an adulterous affair with the young wife of a multi-wifed effendi, chiefly by trysting with her in a covered skiff at night on the Bosphorus under starlight.

Forbes

Another type of photoreceptor cells, called rod cells, which chiefly register brightness, are most sensitive to blue-green light, so these wavelengths have an advantage at night.

The New York Times

For decades, the block of 14th Street between Ninth and 10th Avenues was known chiefly as part of the meatpacking district by day and as a hangout for transvestite prostitutes at night.

The New York Times

And at night.

The New York Times

It transforms at night.

The New York Times - Travel

The tractors' at night,.

The New Yorker

Keep out at night.

The New York Times

Haye trains at night.

Independent

Especially at night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chiefly at night" when you want to emphasize that an activity or event happens predominantly during the nighttime, especially when contrasting it with daytime occurrences.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "chiefly at night" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mostly at night" or "mainly at night" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly at night" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action or state primarily occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly at night" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase that specifies when an action or state primarily occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for describing events predominantly happening during nighttime. While versatile, consider using simpler alternatives in informal settings. Its usage spans across various domains, including news, media, science and wiki articles. Remember to use it when you need to emphasize the timing of an activity relative to the night.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly during the night

Replaces "chiefly" with "mainly", offering a slightly less formal tone.

primarily at night

Substitutes "chiefly" with "primarily", indicating the main time something occurs.

mostly at night

Uses "mostly" instead of "chiefly", suggesting a high proportion of occurrence at night.

predominantly during the night

Replaces "chiefly" with "predominantly", emphasizing the prevalence of nighttime occurrence.

principally at night

Uses "principally" instead of "chiefly", indicating the main or most important time.

largely at night

Replaces "chiefly" with "largely", suggesting a considerable amount of activity happens at night.

for the most part at night

Adds a qualifier, indicating that something occurs mostly but not exclusively at night.

more often at night

Indicates a higher frequency of occurrence at night compared to other times.

typically at night

Suggests a usual or expected occurrence at night.

commonly at night

Indicates that something frequently happens during the night.

FAQs

What does "chiefly at night" mean?

The phrase "chiefly at night" means that something happens primarily or mainly during the nighttime hours. It indicates that the night is the most significant or prevalent time for a particular activity or event.

What are some alternatives to "chiefly at night"?

You can use alternatives such as "mainly at night", "primarily at night", or "mostly at night" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to say "chiefly at night" or "mainly at night"?

Both "chiefly at night" and "mainly at night" are correct, but "chiefly" can sound more formal. Choose the option that best fits the tone and context of your writing or conversation.

How can I use "chiefly at night" in a sentence?

You can use "chiefly at night" to describe when an action or event primarily occurs. For example, "The wildlife in this area is chiefly active at night, making it a perfect time for nocturnal observations."