in the daylight

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the daylight" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use "in the daylight" to indicate a specific time of day or to emphasize the occurrence of an event as being in broad daylight. Example: We could see the outline of the building in the daylight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"In the daylight".

The New York Times

We never saw Luxembourg in the daylight.

The New Yorker

Nobu is awfully bright in the daylight.

The New York Times - Magazine

We hadn't said much about anything in the daylight.

The New Yorker

I'm afraid to go out in the daylight.

The New Yorker

They couldn't bear the shame of it in the daylight".

The New Yorker

Three of the bedrooms are in the daylight basement.

The New York Times - Travel

I've never actually played it in the daylight.

The Guardian

'Sing in the daylight, we only sing in the daylight' was followed by the 'Always look on the bright side of life'.

The Guardian - Sport

The regulars leave at night to avoid charges of trespassing, and return in the daylight.

The New York Times

I stand squinting in the daylight wanting to yell, looking to find a displaced person.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the daylight" to emphasize visibility or openness, especially when contrasting with darkness or secrecy. For example: "The inspection revealed the flaws, which were only visible in the daylight."

Common error

Avoid using "in the daylight" when you mean to convey a metaphorical sense of clarity or exposure if there is no temporal relationship. Instead, consider alternatives like "in plain view" or "under scrutiny".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the daylight" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it provides temporal context. The examples show it used to describe visibility conditions or activity during the day.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the daylight" is a grammatically correct and widely used adverbial phrase that specifies the timing of an action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to provide temporal context, often highlighting visibility and openness. With a neutral register, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, from formal writing to everyday conversation. Occurring most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it emphasizes clarity and exposure. While versatile, it's important to avoid using it when a purely metaphorical sense of clarity is intended, without any connection to actual daylight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in broad daylight

Stresses the clarity and visibility of the scene.

in the daytime

Simple and straightforward alternative.

during the day

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the phrase, highlighting the time of day.

by day

A shorter, more concise way to say "in the daylight".

in the light of day

Adds a sense of scrutiny and exposure.

during daylight hours

Highlights specific working or active times when the sun is up.

under the sun

Emphasizes the presence of sunlight and openness.

in the sunshine

Suggests a more pleasant and positive setting.

when it's light out

Uses more casual and conversational language.

while the sun is up

Directly mentions the sun as a marker of time.

FAQs

How can I use "in the daylight" in a sentence?

The phrase "in the daylight" typically specifies when an action or event occurs during the day, emphasizing the time of day. For example, "The colors of the mural are best appreciated in the daylight."

What can I say instead of "in the daylight"?

You can use alternatives like "during the day", "in broad daylight", or "during daylight hours" depending on the context.

Is "in the daylight" the same as "in the daytime"?

While similar, "in the daylight" often emphasizes visibility and clarity, whereas "in the daytime" simply refers to the period of the day when the sun is up. The nuance depends on the specific context.

Which is more emphatic: "in the daylight" or "in broad daylight"?

In broad daylight is more emphatic than "in the daylight". It underscores the openness and conspicuous nature of the action, leaving no room for doubt that something occurred clearly and visibly.