the sun shone

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'the sun shone' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a period when the sun is shining, usually a particularly bright or beautiful day. For example: "The sun shone brightly on the day of the picnic, providing the perfect conditions to enjoy the afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the sun shone.

Independent

The sun shone.

The New York Times

"Yesterday, the sun shone".

The Guardian - Arts

The sun shone, the sky was blue.

The New Yorker

The sun shone, a balmy breeze blew.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sun shone, so that was no excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

The clouds duly parted and the sun shone.

The Guardian - Books

"The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new".

The Guardian - Books

The next day, the sun shone and off we set.

The Guardian - Travel

The sun shone and it was a great atmosphere.

The Guardian - Music

The band played, the sun shone, the tacos were eaten.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sun shone" to set a positive scene or to contrast with previous negative conditions in your writing. It's a simple, effective way to evoke a sense of warmth and optimism.

Common error

Avoid using "the sun shined" instead of "the sun shone" when describing the sun's past action. "Shone" is the correct past tense form in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sun shone" typically functions as a declarative statement describing a past weather condition. It asserts that the sun was emitting light, providing warmth and brightness at a particular time. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Lifestyle

5%

Travel

3%

Less common in

Books

2%

Sports

2%

Arts

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the sun shone" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a past instance of sunshine. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used. It is found most frequently in news and media contexts, used to set a positive tone or contrast with previous negative conditions. While simple, it's versatile, lending itself to both literal descriptions of weather and metaphorical expressions of positivity. Remember to use "shone" rather than "shined" in this context, and consider related phrases such as "the sun was shining" or "sunlight streamed down" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sun was shining

Changes the verb tense to continuous, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the sun's shining.

sunlight streamed down

Focuses on the effect of the sun's light, suggesting a powerful or abundant light.

the day was bright

Shifts the focus to the overall quality of the day, emphasizing the brightness caused by the sun.

the world was aglow

Suggests that everything appeared bright and cheerful.

the skies were clear

Highlights the absence of clouds, indicating favorable weather conditions.

light filled the scene

Emphasizes the presence of light without specifying the source.

the weather was fair

Indicates pleasant weather conditions, of which sunshine is a component.

a sunny disposition prevailed

Uses the metaphor of sunshine to describe a positive emotional atmosphere.

fortune smiled upon them

Employs a figurative expression suggesting good luck, similar to the positive connotations of sunshine.

the heavens opened

While literally meaning rain stopped, it is frequently used metaphorically to express that positive events started happening.

FAQs

How can I use "the sun shone" in a sentence?

Use "the sun shone" to describe a past event where the sun was visibly emitting light. For instance, "Despite the earlier rain, "the sun shone" brightly during the afternoon picnic".

What does it mean when I read "the sun shone" in a story?

It typically means that there was a period of brightness and warmth, which can be used literally to describe the weather or metaphorically to suggest a positive turn of events.

Which is the correct past tense, "the sun shined" or "the sun shone"?

"The sun shone" is correct. While "shined" is a valid past tense of 'shine', it's generally used when 'shine' is transitive (i.e., taking an object). "Shone" is the correct intransitive form, used when the subject itself is emitting light.

What are some alternatives to saying "the sun shone"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the sun was shining", "sunlight streamed down", or "the day was bright".