this night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this night" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the night that is presently unfolding (e.g. "This night shall be one to remember!").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This night.

The New York Times - Sports

And on this night?

The New York Times - Food

This night was different.

The New York Times

Not on this night.

The New York Times - Sports

But not this night.

The New York Times - Sports

But not on this night.

The New York Times - Sports

Not on this night, though.

The New York Times - Sports

This night was no exception.

The New York Times - Travel

Not so this night.

The New Yorker

Don't miss this night.

The New York Times

Not this night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this night" to add a touch of formality or emphasis when referring to the current night, especially in written contexts. For everyday spoken language, "tonight" is often more appropriate.

Common error

Ensure you're referring to the present night and not the night that has already passed. "Last night" refers to the previous night, while "this night" refers to the night currently unfolding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this night" functions as a determiner + noun combination, specifying a particular night, usually the one that is currently ongoing. It serves to indicate a specific time frame, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this night" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the current or specified evening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and suitable for referring to the night presently unfolding. While "tonight" serves as a more common synonym in everyday speech, "this night" can lend a touch of formality or emphasis, making it well-suited for written contexts, as seen across various news, academic, and scientific sources. Knowing its register and potential for confusion with "last night" will help writers wield it effectively. Top authoritative sources for this phrase are The New York Times, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, BBC and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tonight

A more concise and common synonym for "this night".

on this night

Prepositional phrase that specifies a particular night.

this evening

Emphasizes the evening portion of the current day.

this specific night

Highlights a particular night, possibly contrasting it with others.

this current night

Highlights that the focus is on the current ongoing night.

the present night

More formal and emphasizes the current time.

during this night

Emphasizes actions happening within the night.

this very night

Adds emphasis to the specific night being referenced.

the night in question

Referring to a previously mentioned night.

this nocturnal period

A more formal way to describe the time frame, "this night".

FAQs

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

You can use "this night" to refer to the present night, such as in the sentence, "This night is going to be special".

What's the difference between "this night" and "tonight"?

"This night" and "tonight" are often interchangeable, but "this night" can sound more formal or emphatic. "Tonight" is generally more common in everyday speech.

Which is correct, "this night" or "tonight"?

Both "this night" and "tonight" are correct, but their suitability depends on the context. "This night" may be preferred in writing or when aiming for a more formal tone, while "tonight" is suitable in informal conversation.

What can I say instead of "this night"?

You can use alternatives like "tonight", "this evening", or "the night in question" depending on the context.