in sunshine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in sunshine" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a setting or a mood, for example: "We spent the afternoon in sunshine, drinking iced tea and playing cards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

· Stars in Sunshine (due 2007).

The Guardian - Film

We were floating in sunshine, above them.

The New York Times - Travel

"I have watched you in sunshine and storm.

The New York Times

Bács-Kiskun's climate is rich in sunshine, with little humidity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her most recent book is "France In Sunshine and Shadow".

The New Yorker

Once, we went to a planetarium in Sunshine City.

The New Yorker

Soldier Field, full to the brim, was bathed in sunshine.

The Guardian - Sport

"We stayed in the boat in sunshine, rain, mist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

IMc In sunshine-splashed west London last Sunday, Roberto Martínez felt his Wigan side started brightly.

The Guardian - Sport

Bathed in sunshine, the Japanese fans flocking to Suzuka have their focus firmly on the track.

The Guardian - Sport

Locomotive number and "Southern" were located on the tender, and were painted in Sunshine Yellow.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when discussing scientific measurements of temperature or growth where the presence of direct light is a variable.

Common error

Avoid using "in sunshine" when you are referring to a very specific, localized patch of light that requires a definite article, such as "the spot in the sunshine". While "in sunshine" is correct for general conditions, referring to a specific location often sounds more natural as "in the sun".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in sunshine" serves as a prepositional phrase that typically functions as an adverbial modifier of manner or condition. It describes the environmental state under which an action occurs. According to Ludwig, it can modify verbs of movement (walking), state (bathed) or even exist as part of a noun phrase describing climatic regions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in sunshine" is a highly versatile and grammatically robust expression. Ludwig shows that it is used extensively in both literal weather descriptions and scientific observations, particularly when researchers compare variables like plant growth or animal behavior in varying light conditions. Beyond its literal use, it serves a powerful metaphorical function in journalism and political discourse to represent transparency and openness. Whether you are writing a technical report for a journal like Science Magazine or a descriptive travel piece for The New Yorker, "in sunshine" is a correct and evocative choice. It rarely requires a definite article when describing a general state, making it a concise alternative to more wordy constructions. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is a staple of high-quality English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the sun

Includes a definite article and is the most common colloquial equivalent for being physically exposed to sunlight

in the sunshine

Adds the definite article, making the focus more specific to a particular occurrence of light

bathed in sunlight

Adds a descriptive verb to emphasize the intensity and coverage of the light

under clear skies

Describes the atmospheric condition that allows for sunshine to occur

under the sun

Often used idiomatically to mean anything in the world, though literally describes being outdoors

in the daylight

Focuses on the time of day and the presence of natural light regardless of direct sun exposure

in bright light

A more technical or general description that does not specify the sun as the source

in fair weather

Broadens the scope to include the general climate rather than just the visual lighting

in solar radiation

Provides a strictly scientific or technical framing of the concept

out in the open

Emphasizes the lack of shelter rather than the specific presence of light

FAQs

How to use "in sunshine" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe weather or setting, such as "The garden was beautiful "in sunshine"". Ludwig AI provides many examples where it describes everything from sports matches to scientific experiments.

What is the difference between "in sunshine" and "in the sun"?

While often interchangeable, "in the sun" is more common for physical location, whereas "in sunshine" often describes the quality of the environment or atmospheric state.

Can "in sunshine" be used metaphorically?

Yes, it is frequently used to represent transparency or success, such as "affairs conducted "in sunshine"" or being "bathed "in sunshine"" to indicate favor or joy.

Is it more formal to say "in sunlight"?

Both are acceptable, but "in sunlight" is often preferred in technical or scientific contexts, while "in sunshine" carries a slightly more cheerful or descriptive connotation.