it was midnight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was midnight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the time of day, often in storytelling or descriptive writing. Example: "As the clock struck twelve, it was midnight, and the streets were eerily quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And it was midnight.

The New York Times

Then it was midnight.

The New York Times - Style

When it was over, it was midnight.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was midnight," she said.

The New York Times

It was midnight, noon in Beijing.

The New York Times - Health

It was midnight Wednesday, not midnight Thursday.

The New York Times

It was midnight, and he was in his pajamas.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was midnight" to set a scene, create atmosphere, or mark the transition between days in narratives. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing the stillness or mystery associated with the time.

Common error

While "it was midnight" is clear, adding redundant details like "it was exactly midnight o'clock" can sound awkward. Keep the phrase concise for maximum impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was midnight" functions as an adverbial of time, specifying when an event occurred or a state existed. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase sets the scene or provides temporal context, enhancing narrative or descriptive writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was midnight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a specific time, often employed to establish a scene or highlight a temporal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news, formal documents, and scientific articles. While versatile, it's best to avoid redundancy by keeping the phrase concise. For variety, consider alternatives like "the clock struck midnight" or "<a href="/s/midnight+had+arrived" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was twelve am

Replaces the phrase "it was midnight" with a more technical wording using "am".

the clock showed midnight

Emphasizes the clock's indication, confirming the arrival of midnight.

the clock struck midnight

Focuses on the action of the clock reaching midnight, implying the arrival of midnight.

midnight had arrived

Emphasizes the arrival of midnight as an event or a point in time.

it was the witching hour

Replaces a specific time with a concept, midnight being the start of the witching hour.

the day had turned

This phrase describes the change from one day to the next, using a more figurative language.

the hour was late

Emphasizes that the time was late, but without specifying it was midnight.

darkness prevailed

Focuses on the darkness that is typically associated with midnight, rather than on the time itself.

the night was upon us

Emphasizes the arrival of the night, where midnight could be a key moment.

the day ended

Focuses on the end of the day, implying the start of a new one at midnight.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was midnight" to indicate the time of day, especially when setting a scene or describing an event that occurred at that hour. For example: "It was midnight, and the city was quiet."

What are some alternatives to "it was midnight"?

Alternatives include "the clock struck midnight", "midnight had arrived", or "it was twelve am", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was 12 AM" instead of "it was midnight"?

Yes, "it was twelve am" is a technically correct way to express midnight. However, "it was midnight" is often preferred in more descriptive or narrative contexts.

What's the difference between saying "it was midnight" and "it was past midnight"?

"It was midnight" indicates the precise moment when one day transitions to the next. "It was past midnight" implies that some time has elapsed since midnight, without specifying the exact time.