it's dawn

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's dawn" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the time of day when the sky first begins to lighten in the morning. For example: "When I woke up this morning, it's dawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's dawn in Thailand's Eastern forest, and the sound of combat boots echoes through the jungle mist at Ta Phraya national park's headquarters.

The Guardian

It's dawn in the Downtown Eastside, also known as Canada's poorest postal code, and a group of people are gathering outside a crisis shelter.

The Guardian

At one point we read "Dawn's pale rose fingers brushed across the sky"; later it's "Dawn came early, with palmettos of rose".

The New York Times - Books

"It's dawn.

The New York Times

It's dawn at the Mojave Air & Space Port, a cluster of weather-beaten hangars in the desert north of Los Angeles.

The Guardian

By the end of the novel, it's dawn, and although Paula has shared everything with the reader, she and Mike still haven't had their talk with the twins.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But increasingly it's dawning on everyone that she actually means it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's dawning on businesses that they have to take prudent steps".

The New York Times

It's dawning grey and dank here in central London, incidentally.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's dawning on many banks that this is game over," one unidentified senior lobbyist told the newspaper.

The New York Times

"It's dawned on me that it's time for a new challenge.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's dawn" to set a scene in descriptive writing, particularly when focusing on the beginning of a new day or a change in atmosphere. For instance, "as the sun rises" is great for transitioning from night to day or introducing new possibilities.

Common error

While "it's dawn" is evocative, avoid using it repeatedly in contexts where action or dialogue is more appropriate. Vary your descriptions with phrases like "the sun began to rise" or focus on characters' reactions to the changing light.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's dawn" functions as an existential statement indicating the time of day. As shown in Ludwig examples, it introduces a setting or a moment in time. It affirms the current existence of dawn.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's dawn" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the beginning of daylight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an existential statement, primarily used to describe the setting or signal a transition. While versatile, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "day is breaking" or "the sun is rising" for similar meanings. Ensure variety by not overusing it in narratives where more active descriptions are fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day is breaking

Emphasizes the process of daylight beginning, suitable for a more descriptive or literary context.

the sun is rising

Focuses on the specific celestial event of the sun appearing above the horizon.

morning is arriving

Highlights the arrival of the morning period, broader than just the initial light.

first light

A concise and slightly poetic way to refer to the initial appearance of light.

the day begins

Focuses on the start of the new day, rather than the specific moment of dawn.

cockcrow

An archaic term referring to early morning, specifically when roosters begin to crow.

sunup

A simple, informal term indicating the time when the sun appears.

break of day

A slightly more formal or literary way to express the beginning of daylight.

aurora

Focuses on the natural light display in the sky, particularly at polar regions at dawn.

the east is glowing

Describes the visual phenomenon of the sky brightening in the eastern direction.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it's dawn"?

You can use alternatives like "day is breaking", "the sun is rising", or "morning is arriving" depending on the context.

Is "it's dawn" formal or informal?

"It's dawn" is generally considered neutral in formality and is suitable for a wide range of contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "the day begins" might be preferable in certain situations.

How do I use "it's dawn" in a sentence?

You can use "it's dawn" to describe the beginning of the day, such as, "as the sun rises in Thailand's Eastern forest" or "By the end of the novel, "the day is breaking", and although Paula has shared everything with the reader, she and Mike still haven't had their talk with the twins."

What's the difference between "it's dawn" and "it was dawn"?

"It's dawn" describes a present situation, while "it was dawn" describes a past situation. For example, "as the sun rises, I can start my day" versus "the sun was rising when I woke up".