during this night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during this night" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to events or actions that take place within the timeframe of the night being discussed. Example: "During this night, we will gather to celebrate the achievements of our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was one of the few moments during this night of gentle balladry and surprisingly tough, rock-inflected country when Mr. Travis appeared distracted.

The New York Times - Arts

The prophecy was said to have been fulfilled during this night at Syon, when some "corrupted matter of a bloody colour" fell from the coffin to the floor.

Wikipedia

The mean duration of sleep during this night, estimated from sleep diaries and text messages, was 5.06 (SE 0.04) hours.

British Medical Journal

During this night, participants' physical activity was maintained as low as possible.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

During this night-time light period starch accumulated to levels very similar to those present at the end of the day-time light period.

eLife

Having previously turned in 12-hour sets in his native London, he's also a solid hand when it comes to keeping a rave on its toes for hours at a time, a skill he'll be effortlessly demonstrating during this All Night Long session within the atmospheric basement of The Shipping Forecast.

The Guardian - Music

As is so often the case with a set that has Ben UFO's name behind it, we knew roughly 0% of the tracks being played during this sunday night closing set, that ended up being our favourite of the weekend.

Vice

But such was the magic of this night that during the song's first verse, the puppeteers crept to the edge of the dance floor, and when the chorus hit — "Let the bodies hit the floor!

The New York Times - Magazine

Cast changes are common as the run of an opera continues during the season, but on this night the entire cast was new, with a fine new conductor, Andrew Davis, taking over for James Levine in the pit.

The New York Times - Arts

This night is during the recovery phase of the moderate geomagnetic storm that started on March 27 , 2017

Earth, Planets and Space

Boko Haram initially attacked empty schools during the night, "but this moved to targeting students and teachers and using this to instill fear," he said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during this night", ensure the context clearly establishes which specific night you are referencing. Avoid ambiguity by providing a specific date or event that identifies the night in question.

Common error

Avoid using "during this night" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "tonight" would suffice. Using the longer phrase in simple sentences can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during this night" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify the time frame in which an action occurs or a state exists. It indicates that something happens within the temporal boundaries of the specified night. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during this night" is a grammatically sound and usable way to specify a timeframe for an event. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. However, its usage should be considered in context. Simpler alternatives like "tonight" are often preferable in casual settings, while "during this night" provides a level of formality suitable for news, scientific writing, and narrative storytelling. The phrase serves to pinpoint when something occurred, and can be replaced by throughout this night to emphasize a continuous action. While not as common as other phrases, it holds its place in a variety of contexts, and is most often found in News & Media and Scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout this night

Replaces 'during' with 'throughout', emphasizing the continuous nature of the action throughout the night.

in the course of this night

Substitutes 'during' with 'in the course of', providing a slightly more formal tone.

overnight

A concise alternative, implying something that happens during the night.

this evening

Shifts the focus to the evening portion of the night, implying events happening closer to sunset.

tonight

A simpler and more common way of referring to the current night.

this nocturnal period

Uses more scientific terminology to refer to the same time frame.

while this night transpired

Adds a sense of narrative and the passing of time.

as this night unfolded

Emphasizes the progressive nature of events happening throughout the night.

in the hours of darkness tonight

More descriptive, focusing on the darkness of night as the setting.

during the darkness this night

Highlights the darkness as a key characteristic of the specified night.

FAQs

What is a simpler way to say "during this night"?

A simpler and more common alternative to "during this night" is "tonight", which is suitable for many contexts.

How can I make my writing sound less formal when using "during this night"?

Consider replacing "during this night" with more casual options such as "this evening" or simply using the term "overnight" depending on the context.

Is "during this night" grammatically correct?

Yes, "during this night" is grammatically correct. However, according to Ludwig, it is important to ensure it fits the context and doesn't sound overly formal.

What's the difference between "during this night" and "throughout this night"?

"During this night" refers to a specific point or period within the night, while "throughout this night" emphasizes the continuous nature of an event or action occurring across the entire duration of the night.