sun is sinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sun is sinking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the sun setting, often evoking imagery of twilight or evening. An example could be: "As the day ended, the sun is sinking below the horizon." Alternative expressions include "sun is setting" and "sun is going down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The sun is sinking.

The Guardian

The sun is sinking by the time we turn towards camp.

Independent

As Maddy and I get out of the water, the sun is sinking fast.

The Guardian - Travel

The sun is sinking lower still, The barn owl screeches clear and shrill.

The Guardian - Books

6.48pm: The sun is sinking and the court is a blur.

The Guardian - Sport

But on this afternoon, just as the sun is sinking into the horizon, she starts getting somewhere.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The sun was sinking behind the ridge.

The New York Times

The sun was sinking over this conversation.

The New York Times

Behind it, the orange ball of the sun was sinking.

The New Yorker

The sun was sinking fast and everything began to change.

The New Yorker

The sun was sinking toward the horizon, and the sky had turned fuchsia.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with descriptive prepositions like "below the horizon", "behind the mountains" or "into the sea" to enhance the imagery.

Common error

Writers often switch from a past tense narrative into "sun is sinking" (present continuous) unintentionally. If your story is set in the past, ensure you use "sun was sinking" to maintain chronological consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sun is sinking" functions as a present continuous verb clause. It consists of the subject "sun", the auxiliary verb "is" and the present participle "sinking". According to Ludwig, this structure is used to describe an ongoing action or state in the present moment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sun is sinking" is a well-established and correct English expression. Ludwig analysis shows it is a common choice for writers who want to evoke a sense of movement and atmosphere during sunset. While "sun is setting" remains the most frequent technical term, "sun is sinking" is highly preferred in literary and journalistic contexts to describe the visual beauty of the ending day. It is consistently used by world-class publications like The New Yorker and The Guardian, confirming its status as a high-quality linguistic choice for creative and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sun is setting

The most common and standard way to describe the daily disappearance of the sun.

sun is going down

A more conversational and slightly less formal alternative to describe the sunset.

sun is descending

A more formal or astronomical term for the downward movement of the sun.

sun is dipping

Often used to suggest the sun is just beginning to touch the horizon line.

sun is dropping

Implies a more physical or perceptible downward motion, sometimes used for dramatic effect.

day is fading

Focuses on the loss of light and the end of the day rather than just the sun's position.

dusk is approaching

Shifts the focus to the specific time of day resulting from the sun's descent.

light is waning

A more poetic or literary way to describe the gradual decrease in brightness.

shadows are lengthening

Describes the visual phenomenon that occurs as the sun gets lower in the sky.

twilight is falling

Describes the specific atmospheric state that follows the sun sinking.

FAQs

How to use "sun is sinking" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the specific moment of sunset, for example: "The sun is sinking below the horizon, casting long orange shadows across the field."

What can I say instead of "sun is sinking"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "sun is setting", "sun is going down", or "sun is descending".

Which is more formal, "sun is sinking" or "sun is setting"?

"sun is setting" is the standard, neutral term used in most contexts, while "sun is sinking" is slightly more descriptive and literary.

Is "sun is sinking" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct present continuous construction. According to Ludwig, it is used frequently by authoritative sources such as The New York Times.