sun is setting down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sun is setting down" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would be "the sun is setting." Example: "As the evening approached, the sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the horizon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And as the sun was setting down, he reflected on our hard past and praised the freedom that made it possible for him to come to Romania.

The Guardian - Music

The sun is setting on the West.

Huffington Post

Find out when the sun is setting in your city.

WikiHow

The sun is setting.

The New Yorker

Outside, the sun is setting.

The New Yorker

The sun is setting on Gaza.

The Guardian

THE sun is setting on fading empires.

The New York Times - Sports

[By now,] the sun is setting.

Los Angeles Times

The sun is setting and my husband is at work.

Huffington Post

The sun was setting on the Hudson.

The New York Times

The sun was setting beyond the trees.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the close of the day, prefer the phrasing "the sun is setting" or "the sun is going down". These options are clearer and more widely accepted.

Common error

Be mindful of using redundant phrases. While "down" might seem like a natural addition to "the sun is setting", it's typically unnecessary and can make the sentence sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sun is setting down" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to depict the action of the sun nearing the horizon. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The correct form is "sun is setting".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

33%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sun is setting down" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and redundant in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the simpler and more accepted form is "sun is setting". While you might encounter it in informal contexts, it is advisable to use the standard phrasing for clarity. Alternatives like "sun is going down" also exist, depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sun is setting

Omits the word "down", which is generally considered redundant in this context.

sun is going down

Uses "going down" instead of "setting", offering a more casual alternative.

sun is sinking

Employs "sinking" to describe the sun's movement, creating a more evocative image.

sun is dipping below the horizon

Provides a more descriptive and detailed alternative.

sunset is approaching

Focuses on the impending arrival of sunset rather than the sun's current action.

day is ending

Shifts the focus from the sun to the conclusion of the day.

twilight is beginning

Highlights the transition to twilight as the sun sets.

sun is descending

Uses "descending" as a more formal synonym for setting or going down.

sun is nearing the horizon

Indicates the sun's position relative to the horizon.

evening is arriving

Emphasizes the arrival of evening as the sun completes its descent.

FAQs

Why is "sun is setting down" considered incorrect?

The phrase "sun is setting down" is generally considered grammatically incorrect because the verb "set" already implies a downward movement. Adding "down" is redundant. More appropriate options include "sun is setting" or "sun is going down".

What are some alternatives to "sun is setting down"?

Instead of "sun is setting down", you can use alternatives like "sun is setting", "sun is going down", or "sun is sinking".

Is there a context where "sun is setting down" is acceptable?

While rarely used in formal writing, "sun is setting down" might appear in informal speech or creative writing, but it's generally advisable to use the standard phrase "sun is setting" for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "sun is setting" and "sun is going down"?

Both "sun is setting" and "sun is going down" have similar meanings, referring to the sun's descent towards the horizon. "Sun is setting" is slightly more formal, while "sun is going down" is more casual. The phrase "sun is setting down" is not considered correct.