it was evening

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was evening" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the time of day in which something happens. For example, "We arrived at the park just as it was evening, and the sun began to set."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He felt that if he were married he wouldn't hire prostitutes, he wouldn't be ridiculous, he wouldn't do things like call a hooker and ask if the "afternoon delight" rate still applied, even though it was evening.

The New Yorker

It was evening when our landlord finally came back.

The New Yorker

"It was evening, there was no way for us to get there," Mrs. Kirkire recalled.

The New York Times

It was evening, and the buses should have been locked, Dr. White said.

The New York Times

It was evening, but, since the sun never sets in northeastern Greenland in June, still bright.

The New Yorker

It was evening, and Trump sat alone in the West Wing, watching Spicer on basic cable.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It was late afternoon.

The New York Times

It was noon.

The New York Times

It was midday, hot.

The New Yorker

It was 7 a.m.

The New Yorker

So it was last night.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was evening" to set a scene or indicate the time when describing events in narratives or descriptive writing. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to create a sense of atmosphere or transition.

Common error

Avoid starting too many consecutive sentences with "it was evening". Vary your sentence structure by focusing on the subject of the sentence or using descriptive details to establish the time of day.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was evening" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, setting the temporal context for an event or situation. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use to introduce a setting or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was evening" serves as a common and versatile temporal marker, primarily used to establish the time of day in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in the News & Media. While simple, it effectively sets the scene and provides context. Related phrases offer nuanced alternatives, and avoiding overuse ensures stylistic variation. Its neutral register and clear function make it a reliable choice for writers seeking to convey the atmosphere and timing of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evening had arrived

Replaces "it was" with "evening had", focusing on the arrival of the evening.

as night fell

Focuses on the transition from day to night, similar to the beginning of evening.

dusk had settled

Highlights the settling of dusk, a specific time within the evening.

twilight was upon us

Highlights the specific time of twilight, similar to the beginning of evening.

the evening hours were upon us

More descriptive and literary, emphasizing the progression into evening.

the sun was setting

Highlights the setting sun, a key feature of the evening time.

it grew dark

Simpler and more direct, emphasizing the darkening of the sky.

night was approaching

Emphasizes the impending arrival of night, close to the feeling of evening.

it was getting late

Indicates the progression of time towards evening or night.

the day was ending

Focuses on the conclusion of the day as evening starts.

FAQs

What does the phrase "it was evening" mean?

The phrase "it was evening" indicates that the time of day was evening, typically referring to the period between late afternoon and night. It's a common way to set the scene or describe the time in a narrative.

How can I use "it was evening" in a sentence?

You can use "it was evening" to describe when an event took place. For example, "It was evening when we arrived at the cabin", or "The stars began to appear as "it was evening"."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was evening"?

Alternatives include phrases like "night had fallen", "dusk had settled", or "the sun was setting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was evening" formal or informal?

"It was evening" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in literature, news reports, and everyday conversation.