through the night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'through the night' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe actions or events that occur during the entire duration of the night, from evening until morning. Example: "The storm raged through the night, with strong winds and heavy rainfall causing damage to buildings and power outages in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sleeping through the night?

The New York Times - Travel

Explosions continued through the night.

The New York Times

We talked through the night.

The New Yorker

Ideas flowed through the night.

The New York Times

Through the night is easier.

The New Yorker

They searched through the night.

Independent

Many toil through the night.

The New York Times

This lasted through the night.

The Economist

We'll drive through the night".

The New Yorker

Those meetings usually go through the night".

Independent

He never slept through the night.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through the night" to describe actions, processes, or conditions that persist continuously or repeatedly from evening until morning.

Common error

Avoid using "through the night" to describe a single, isolated event that occurred only once during the night. Use "during the night" or specify the time instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through the night" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the duration or timing of an action or state. It specifies that something occurs continuously or repeatedly during the entire night period. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "through the night" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes actions or events that occur continuously or repeatedly from evening until morning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Usage is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the sustained or repeated nature of the action, avoiding misuse with singular, isolated events. Remember to consider context and nuance when selecting it over similar phrases like "overnight" or "during the night".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout the night

Similar to the original phrase, but with a slightly different emphasis on the continuous nature of the action.

the entire night

Highlights the completeness of the night's duration.

all night long

Focuses on the duration of the night, emphasizing continuity.

the whole night

Emphasizes the entirety of the night period.

during the night

More general, indicating an action happened at some point within the night.

overnight

Implies something happened or was completed between evening and morning.

from dusk till dawn

Poetic way to express the duration from evening to morning.

in the hours of darkness

Focuses on the darkness as the defining characteristic of the period.

while others slept

Highlights the contrast between activity and rest during the night.

all through the nocturnal hours

A more formal and elaborate way to express the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "through the night" in a sentence?

You can use "through the night" to describe an event or action that continues from evening until morning. For example, "The storm raged "through the night"" or "The nurses worked "through the night" to care for the patients".

What phrases are similar to "through the night"?

Similar phrases include "all night long", "throughout the night", and "during the night". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "through the night" or should I use "during the night"?

Both "through the night" and "during the night" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Through the night" implies continuity or persistence, while "during the night" simply indicates that something happened at some point within the night.

What's the difference between "through the night" and "overnight"?

"Through the night" emphasizes that something happened continuously or repeatedly, while "overnight" suggests something was completed or transformed from one day to the next. For example, you might say "They drove "through the night"" to mean they were constantly driving, or "The package arrived "overnight"".