nights on end

USAGE SUMMARY

"nights on end" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression used to refer to extended periods of time, usually nights. For example, "I studied for nights on end to prepare for the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I didn't sleep for nights on end.

The New York Times - Magazine

(She used to spend nights on end trawling Wikipedia pages reading of ancient matriarchs).

The Guardian - Books

I couldn't sleep for nights on end when I first met her and heard her story".

The New York Times

As any parent who has had to reread the same bedtime story for nights on end knows, children crave consistency.

The New York Times - Books

Emissaries from Hollywood had to prove their mettle by drinking and clubbing with her for nights on end before she would talk business.

The New Yorker

Whatever the case, He has watched this tree survive Wind ripping at his roof for nights On end, heats and blights That left little else alive.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

#Rich Kids of Beverly Hills", Sunday nights on E!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That said, most nights on this European leg the band are private-jetting back to Spain.

Independent

(Both shows, now in their first seasons, run Sunday nights on VH1).

The New York Times - Arts

The company makes the talkshow host's Graham Norton Show, aired on Friday nights on BBC1.

The Guardian - Business

The Review Show currently airs at 11pm on Friday nights on BBC2.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nights on end" to vividly describe persistent or continuous actions or states that occur over multiple nights, often implying exhaustion, dedication, or unusual circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "nights on end" when referring to isolated incidents. This phrase suggests a prolonged, continuous period, not just a single event that happened at night.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nights on end" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration or extent of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms that "nights on end" is correct and usable in written English. For example, 'I didn't sleep for nights on end'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nights on end" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe activities or situations that extend over many consecutive nights. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and useful idiom in English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. It implies a sense of continuity or persistence. When using this phrase, make sure that the context involves a genuine, multi-night duration, rather than a singular nighttime event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for consecutive nights

Focuses on the sequential nature of the nights, emphasizing the unbroken series.

for several nights straight

Adds emphasis on the continuous, uninterrupted nature of the nights.

for unbroken nights

Emphasizes the lack of interruption or break in the sequence of nights.

night after night

Emphasizes the repetitive occurrence over successive nights.

over a string of nights

Conveys the idea of a connected series of nights.

during multiple nights

Highlights that the activity or state occurred over several nights.

throughout numerous nights

Similar to 'during multiple nights' but conveys a slightly larger scale or duration.

nightly for a period

Highlights the consistent, recurring nature of something happening each night within a specified timeframe.

across several evenings

Similar, using "evenings" instead of "nights", implying a slightly different nuance but referring to the same time frame.

during extended nights

Highlights that the nights themselves were long or filled with activity.

FAQs

How do I use "nights on end" in a sentence?

Use "nights on end" to describe activities or situations that continue for multiple consecutive nights. For example, "I stayed up "nights on end" finishing the project."

What's a good substitute for "nights on end"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "consecutive nights", "night after night", or "several nights straight".

Is it correct to say "days and nights on end"?

Yes, "days and nights on end" is a valid and more emphatic way to express a continuous period, indicating both day and night without interruption. It underscores the relentlessness of the situation.

What does "staying up nights on end" imply?

"Staying up "nights on end"" typically implies a period of prolonged wakefulness over several consecutive nights, often due to work, stress, or other demanding circumstances, and suggests a significant impact on one's health and well-being.