in autumn

USAGE SUMMARY

"in autumn" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the season that begins in late September and lasts through the end of November. For example, "We always take a family vacation in autumn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nomads gather in autumn.

The New Yorker

In autumn, the colours are incredible.

The Guardian - Travel

The leaves turn red in autumn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In autumn, no less.

The New Yorker

In autumn, stop fertilizing.

The New York Times

It's beautiful in autumn.

The Guardian - Travel

The ballet is set in autumn.

The New Yorker

The show will be broadcast in autumn.

Independent

Secondary peaks in abundance occur in autumn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps the junkies come out in autumn.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

students began study in autumn 2011.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events or phenomena that occur during this time of year, use "in autumn" to set a clear and universally understood temporal context. For example, "The leaves change color in autumn."

Common error

Avoid using "on autumn" or "at autumn". The correct preposition to use with "autumn" when referring to a season is "in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in autumn" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, specifying the time or season in which an action or event occurs. It provides temporal context, as showcased in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in autumn" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a time frame. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general conversation. While "in the fall" serves as a synonym, "in autumn" is broadly recognized across different English-speaking regions and source types. Remember to use "in" and not "on" or "at" before "autumn" when defining a season. Given its versatile application and clarity, mastering the usage of "in autumn" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during autumn

Replaces the preposition "in" with "during", emphasizing the period of time.

in the fall

Uses the American English term "fall" instead of "autumn".

throughout autumn

Emphasizes the entire season rather than a specific point in time.

come autumn

Implies that something will happen when autumn arrives.

each autumn

Highlights a recurring event every autumn season.

autumnally

Expresses something related to or characteristic of autumn.

autumn time

Uses a more descriptive variation of autumn.

when autumn arrives

More explicit timing of an action.

in the autumnal season

More verbose and descriptive way to reference autumn.

around harvest time

Reference harvest time for autumn season

FAQs

How do I use "in autumn" in a sentence?

Use "in autumn" to specify when something occurs during the autumn season. For example, "The festival takes place "in autumn" each year."

What's the difference between "in autumn" and "in the fall"?

"In autumn" and "in the fall" are interchangeable, with "autumn" being more common in British English and "fall" being more common in American English. The meaning is exactly the same.

Can I say "during autumn" instead of "in autumn"?

Yes, you can use "during autumn" as an alternative to "in autumn". Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning.

Which is more formal, "in autumn" or "in the fall"?

"In autumn" might be perceived as slightly more formal due to its broader international usage, but both phrases are generally acceptable in most contexts.