that fateful night

USAGE SUMMARY

"that fateful night" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to a significant or pivotal night that had important consequences. Example: "I will never forget that fateful night when everything changed." Alternative expressions include "that fateful evening" and "that crucial night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then came that fateful night.

The Guardian - Music

Mel Hurd didn't think she would be when she left the wedding that fateful night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But there are photographs surfacing on social media exposing what happened to Emma that fateful night.

The Guardian

I guess it all began that fateful night when my car broke down.

The New York Times - Books

The menu in the first-class dining saloon that fateful night included roast duckling, foie gras and Waldorf pudding.

The New York Times - Science

I was surprised that people in Midland Beach went into their homes that fateful night to work on their computers and watch TV, despite government warnings.

The New York Times

In any case, friends of Mr. Berry say they are certain that when he offered Mr. Byrd a ride that fateful night, he did so as a kindness.

The New York Times

This is incredibly dated dance music, and nowhere near as hard or sexy as the records Moby would have heard that fateful night (Glasgow's underground parties hard).

The Guardian - Music

"Everyone in the neighborhood had their own take on what they thought had happened that fateful night in the dorm room," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

That part of the trip brought up the hair on the back of my neck, because conditions, I'm told, were similar to what they were that fateful night.

Forbes

Bill Bracken, the structural engineer who worked with the emergency workers at Jeff's house, showed me the footage that he took from within the hole that fateful night.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that fateful night" when you want to add a sense of drama or significance to a past event. It implies that the night had important, often negative, consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "that fateful night" too frequently in your writing. Its dramatic tone can become tiresome if overused. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "the night in question" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that fateful night" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier specifying the time of an event. It adds a layer of significance and often foreboding to the event being described. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that fateful night" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, primarily found in news and media contexts. It serves to add a sense of importance, often with a negative connotation, to a specific evening. While effective for creating drama, it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "the night in question" or "the night everything changed" for varied expression. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse audiences while conveying a significant historical event. Ludwig's analysis aligns with the phrase's observed usage patterns and underscores its validity in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that fateful evening

A direct synonym, simply replacing "night" with "evening" for a slightly more refined feel.

the ill-fated night

Similar to "fateful", but carries a stronger connotation of misfortune or disaster.

that unfortunate night

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the night's events.

the night everything changed

Highlights the transformative impact of the night, focusing on the consequences.

the night in question

More neutral and less dramatic; focuses on identifying a specific night without adding emotional weight.

the turning point night

Focuses specifically on the night as a moment of significant change or redirection.

that critical evening

Emphasizes the importance of the evening but lacks the sense of impending doom or destiny.

the night of reckoning

Suggests a night when consequences were faced or justice was served.

the night it happened

Direct and factual, highlighting the occurrence of an event without embellishment.

the night of the incident

Formal and detached, suitable for reporting or legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "that fateful night" in a sentence?

You can use "that fateful night" to refer to a particular night that is remembered for having a significant, often negative, impact. For example: "I'll never forget "that fateful night" when the storm hit."

What can I say instead of "that fateful night"?

You can use alternatives such as "the night in question", "that critical evening", or "the night everything changed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that fateful night" formal or informal?

"That fateful night" leans towards a slightly formal or literary tone. It's suitable for news reports, storytelling, or contexts where you want to add a touch of drama. More informal alternatives exist, but this phrase isn't overly stiff.

What is the difference between "that fateful night" and "that unfortunate night"?

While both refer to a night with negative consequences, "that fateful night" suggests a sense of destiny or inevitability, while "that unfortunate night" simply emphasizes the bad luck or misfortune associated with the event.