fateful night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fateful night" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a night that has significant or decisive consequences, often in a dramatic or narrative context. Example: "On that fateful night, everything changed for the small town, as the storm swept through and altered their lives forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then came that fateful night.

The Guardian - Music

Jeff, despite his "fateful night," is a sympathetic character.

The New Yorker

But she recalled very little about the fateful night.

The New York Times

Then she'd have me do a Detailed Remembering re my fateful night.

The New Yorker

One fateful night, they decided to use pepper mills as table décor in lieu of flowers.

The New York Times

"Think if you'd had the benefit of ED289/290 on your fateful night".

The New Yorker

Later Mrs. Lincoln gave Keckley her own bloodstained cloak and bonnet from that fateful night.

The New York Times

Wrenching forward to fabulous turning points in contemporary literature, I push Bankson on that fateful night.

The New Yorker

One fateful night, the gate reopens, swallowing her father up; Jane has to save him.

The Guardian - Books

On a fateful night in 2009, Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle met for dinner in Boulder, Colorado.

Stanford University

But one fateful night, she's swept away by the dashing phantom thief, Arsn̈e Lupin for a brand-new adventure!

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fateful night" to add dramatic weight or narrative significance to a particular event or turning point in your writing. It suggests that the night in question played a crucial role in shaping subsequent events.

Common error

Avoid using "fateful night" for trivial or everyday occurrences. Its impact is strongest when reserved for events with genuinely significant and lasting consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fateful night" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "fateful" ascribes a quality of significant consequence or destiny to the noun "night". Ludwig AI examples show its use to highlight events with lasting impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fateful night" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an evening of significant or decisive events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and carries a strong sense of importance or destiny. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase adds dramatic weight to narratives and highlights turning points. While versatile, it's best reserved for events with genuine lasting consequences to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "critical night" or "pivotal night" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical night

Focuses on the importance and potential consequences of the night.

pivotal night

Highlights the turning point aspect of the night in question.

decisive night

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of events during the night.

momentous night

Stresses the historical or significant importance of the night.

unfortunate night

Shifts the focus to negative or adverse events occurring that night.

tragic night

Specifically indicates a night marked by sorrowful or devastating events.

night of destiny

Adds a layer of fate or predetermination to the events of the night.

night to remember

Suggests a night that is both memorable and impactful, though not necessarily negative.

night of reckoning

Conveys a sense of accountability or consequences coming due.

night of consequence

Emphasizes that the night holds significant results or outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "fateful night" in a sentence?

You can use "fateful night" to describe a specific evening that drastically changed the course of events, for example, "On that fateful night, the storm changed everything."

What phrases are similar to "fateful night"?

Alternatives include "critical night", "pivotal night", or "decisive night", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "fateful night" in formal writing?

Yes, "fateful night" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when narrating events with significant consequences. Its use is common in news reports, historical accounts, and literary works.

What makes a night "fateful"?

A "fateful" night is one where events occur that have a profound and often irreversible impact on the future. It implies a sense of destiny or predetermined outcome.