that night

USAGE SUMMARY

"that night" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to refer to a specific night that a certain event occurred, for example: "I will never forget that night when my best friend called to tell me the good news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died that night.

The New York Times

I wasn't arrested that night.

The New York Times

"People that night were petrified".

The New Yorker

He was right that night.

The New York Times - Sports

Arizona executed Landrigan that night.

The New Yorker

Fortunately, there was no outcall that night.

The New Yorker

He died that night, while he slept.

The New Yorker

The soldiers did not come that night.

The New York Times

Scored two that night.

BBC

"Something amazing happened that night".

BBC

He was fine that night.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that night" to refer to a specific night already mentioned or understood in the context. It provides a clear temporal reference for events or actions.

Common error

Don't use "that night" without establishing which night you're referring to. Without prior context, it can confuse the reader. Be sure to specify the date or event that makes the night clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that night" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its use in various contexts to pinpoint a particular night.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that night" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news and media. To ensure clarity, always provide context to specify which night you are referencing. While suitable for various writing styles, it maintains a neutral register. Be sure to check out Ludwig's examples for guidance!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that evening

Replaces "night" with "evening", implying an earlier part of the night.

on that night

Adds the preposition "on" for emphasis or clarity, slightly altering the structure.

during that night

Uses "during" to emphasize the duration of the night when something occurred.

that particular night

Adds "particular" to stress the specific night being referenced.

the night in question

Formal alternative referring to a night already mentioned or under discussion.

that fateful night

Adds "fateful" to imply the night was significant or decisive.

that dark night

Emphasizes the darkness of the night, adding a descriptive element.

later that night

Indicates that the event happened subsequently in the same night.

on the night of

More formal way of specifying a particular night, often associated with an event.

the night that

Alternative phrasing that highlights a specific event or occurrence related to the night.

FAQs

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

Use "that night" to refer back to a specific night already mentioned or understood in your narrative. For instance, "We went to the concert, and "that night" was magical".

What's a more formal way to say "that night"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "on the night of" or "during the aforementioned night". These alternatives provide a heightened sense of formality, suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say "in that night" instead of "that night"?

While "that night" is the standard and more common phrasing, "in that night" can be used in specific contexts to emphasize being enveloped or immersed within the experience of that night, though it's less frequent.

What are some common phrases similar to "that night"?

Similar phrases include "that evening", "on that night", or "during that night". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.