early evening

USAGE SUMMARY

"early evening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time of day that comes after the afternoon but before the night. For example, "We plan to meet up in the early evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Track in early morning or late afternoon or early evening.

WikiHow

He sleeps fitfully until early evening.

The New York Times

By early evening, candles illuminated the vigil.

The New York Times

I went in the early evening.

The New Yorker

By early evening the streets are deserted.

The New York Times - Food

By early evening, drivers were visibly frustrated.

The New York Times

By early evening, Eden was in rebellion.

The New Yorker

The Senate vote is expected in the early evening.

The New York Times

By early evening, officials had reopened the terminal.

The New York Times

EARLY EVENING We usually come home by 8 o'clock.

The New York Times

Most coders will be home by early evening.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "early evening" to denote a specific time frame, typically between late afternoon and before full darkness. For example, "The concert starts in the early evening."

Common error

Avoid using "early evening" interchangeably with "late afternoon" or "night". "Early evening" specifies a distinct period, while "late afternoon" refers to the end of the afternoon and "night" refers to the period of darkness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early evening" primarily functions as an adverbial of time, specifying when an event occurs. It modifies verbs by providing a temporal context, indicating that something happens during the period between late afternoon and the beginning of night. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to set a scene or schedule an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "early evening" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that specifies the time between late afternoon and night. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It functions primarily as an adverbial of time, providing context for when events occur. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While synonyms like "late afternoon" or "dusk" exist, "early evening" offers a distinct temporal specification. Understanding its usage and common contexts can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late afternoon

Focuses more on the end of the afternoon period, slightly earlier than "early evening".

dusk

Emphasizes the dimming light and transition into night, highlighting the atmospheric change.

twilight

Similar to dusk, highlighting the soft, diffused light as the sun sets.

sundown

Specifically refers to the moment the sun disappears below the horizon, marking the start of evening.

eventide

A more formal or literary term for evening, carrying a sense of peacefulness.

cocktail hour

Emphasizes the social aspect of the early evening, particularly for gatherings or relaxation.

the close of day

A more descriptive and slightly poetic way to refer to the end of the working day and the start of evening.

the shank of the evening

An informal idiom that refers to the early part of the evening or night.

between day and night

Focuses on the transitional period, emphasizing the blend of daylight and darkness.

the gloaming

A somewhat archaic term for twilight, emphasizing the soft, fading light.

FAQs

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

You can use "early evening" to describe an event or activity that takes place between late afternoon and before night. For example, "We're having dinner in the "early evening"" or "I like to go for a walk in the "early evening"".

What's the difference between "early evening" and "late afternoon"?

"Early evening" refers to the period after late afternoon but before it gets dark. "Late afternoon" refers to the end of the afternoon period, leading into the "early evening".

Which phrase is more formal, "early evening" or "dusk"?

"Early evening" is generally considered a neutral and common term. "Dusk" is slightly more evocative and can be used in more descriptive or literary contexts, but has the same meaning of "early evening".

Are there any situations where I shouldn't use "early evening"?

While "early evening" is generally acceptable in most contexts, avoid using it if you need to be very precise about the time. In such cases, specifying the exact hour (e.g., "6:00 PM") might be more appropriate instead of "early evening".