toward evening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "toward evening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time period approaching the evening, often suggesting a transition from day to night. Example: "We decided to take a walk toward evening when the weather was cooler."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Toward evening, snow falls.

The New Yorker

Toward evening, the car was towed away.

The New York Times

Toward evening, we ran into a school of whales.

The New Yorker

Toward evening he noticed my mother standing beside him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Toward evening it rained and they crawled under a bush.

The New Yorker

Toward evening, though, the Khan Shatyr started to glow violet.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Toward noon we arrived at an isolated ranch named Twin Springs.

University of California, Berkeley

Toward morning, I buried him in the Jewish cemetery.

The New Yorker

(Toward midnight Saturday, I faced a half-hour wait).

The New York Times

Toward midnight, with the last diners lingering, it twinkled with candlelight.

The New York Times

Toward midnight, I spotted a big, suspicious-looking mosquito flying dizzily around the bathroom.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific alternatives like "near sunset" or "as dusk begins" to convey a more precise timeframe, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "toward evening" when you actually mean "in the evening". The former implies an approaching time, while the latter refers to activities taking place during the evening itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "toward evening" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time. It specifies when an action or event occurs, denoting the period approaching or leading up to the evening, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "toward evening" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the time approaching the evening. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and acceptable usage. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Encyclopedias, signaling a temporal context or transition. While it's important not to confuse it with "in the evening", mastering its nuances and using synonyms can help improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as evening approaches

Replaces "toward" with "as approaches", focusing on the progression into evening.

near sunset

Specifies the time more precisely as being close to sunset.

in the late afternoon

Shifts the timeframe slightly earlier, covering the transition into evening.

as dusk begins

Emphasizes the beginning of dusk as the evening approaches.

around suppertime

Relates the timing to a common evening activity, suppertime.

before nightfall

Indicates a time just before night fully sets in.

with the coming of evening

A more formal and descriptive way of indicating the approach of evening.

as day transitions to night

Highlights the transition from day to night as the timeframe.

close to twilight

Specifically refers to the twilight period of the evening.

in the gloaming

Uses a less common, more poetic term for twilight.

FAQs

How can I use "toward evening" in a sentence?

You can use "toward evening" to describe when something happens close to or leading up to the evening. For instance, "Toward evening, the temperature began to drop" or "We planned to start the bonfire "toward evening"".

What phrases are similar to "toward evening"?

Similar phrases include "as evening approaches", "near sunset", or "in the late afternoon depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is "toward evening" formal or informal?

"Toward evening" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more descriptive or poetic alternatives like "in the gloaming" might be more appropriate for creative writing.

When should I use "in the evening" instead of "toward evening"?

Use "in the evening" when referring to something happening during the evening hours. Use "toward evening" when referring to something that happens as the evening is approaching or beginning. For example, "I will watch a movie "in the evening"", versus, "Toward evening, I started feeling tired".