sun is up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sun is up' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing a sunny day, or a scene in which the sun is visible in the sky. For example, "The sun is up and the birds are singing, signaling a beautiful day ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Is it because you don't get enough time to do things that you can do when the sun is up?

WikiHow

The sun is up.

The Washington Post

Before the sun is up.

The New York Times - Books

We know what The Sun is up to.

Independent

The sun is up, the scales have fallen.

The Guardian - Books

In Washington, D.C., the sun is up for 14 hours and 54 minutes on the solstice.

The Washington Post

By now the sun is up and it is getting warm.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The sun was up and the tent was down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The sun was up and there was nowhere, absolutely nowhere else I wanted to be.

The Guardian - Sport

The sun was up, the Yankees were in and the Cubs, at last, were playing well.

The New York Times - Sports

No one wants people having to work without the sun being up.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sun is up" to create a sense of time and setting in narratives. It's particularly effective when depicting the start of a new day or a change in circumstances. For example, "The sun is up, signaling a fresh start after a long night."

Common error

While "sun is up" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, it may sound too simplistic or informal for academic papers or business reports. In such cases, opt for more descriptive and professional alternatives like "daylight has commenced" or "the sun has risen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sun is up" functions primarily as a statement of fact, indicating the presence of the sun in the sky. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it serves as a simple declarative statement setting the scene or marking the beginning of a day.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

10%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sun is up" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that the sun has risen, marking the start of a new day. As indicated by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news articles and informal writing, serving to set a scene or convey basic information. While versatile, avoid overuse in formal writing; alternatives like "daylight has commenced" may be more suitable. Though the term's use is very common, keep in mind to pick more descriptive replacements in formal writing such as scientific reports and/or business letters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day has broken

Focuses on the commencement of daylight, emphasizing the transition from night.

dawn has arrived

Highlights the appearance of the first light in the morning.

daylight is here

Emphasizes the presence of natural light during the day.

the sun has risen

Focuses on the sun's movement from below the horizon.

morning has come

Highlights the arrival of the morning period.

the day is dawning

Suggests the gradual appearance of daylight.

it's daytime

Directly states that it is the period of the day.

the sun is shining

Focuses on the sun emitting light, often implying good weather.

the morning sun is out

Specifies that the sun is visible in the morning.

the sky is bright

Describes the illumination of the sky due to the sun.

FAQs

How can I use "sun is up" in a sentence?

The phrase "sun is up" is commonly used to indicate the start of the day or to describe a scene where the sun is visible. For example, "The sun is up, and the birds are singing."

What are some alternatives to saying "sun is up"?

You can use alternatives like "day has broken", "dawn has arrived", or "the sun has risen" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sun is up"?

Yes, "sun is up" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It follows the standard subject-verb-complement structure.

What's the difference between "sun is up" and "the sun is shining"?

While both phrases relate to the sun, "sun is up" simply indicates that the sun has risen, whereas "the sun is shining" implies that the sun is emitting light, often suggesting a bright or sunny day.