twilight hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "twilight hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time of day just before sunset or just after sunrise, often associated with a soft, diffused light. Example: "The park is especially beautiful during the twilight hours, as the sky is painted with shades of purple and orange."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Night herons have thicker bills and shorter legs and are more active in the twilight hours and at night.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By E. B. White The New Yorker, November 30, 1929 P. 17 The twilight hours brings cocktail hour which is Woman's hour, and she make most of it.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, November 30, 1929 P. 17 The twilight hours brings cocktail hour which is Woman's hour, and she make most of it.

The New Yorker

"Unlike other broadcasters, Sky won't hide these series in the twilight hours," said the Sky Atlantic director of programmes, Stuart Murphy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So began a rich and vital connection between two artists who were daringly re-inventing their art in the twilight hours of Europe's Belle Époque.

The New York Times

"Unlike other broadcasters, Sky won't hide these series in the twilight hours – we feel incredibly proud of this content and feel privileged to air it in peak time, in high definition, exclusively for all Sky customers," said Murphy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was the twilight hour; the waiters were preparing for the evening rush.

The New Yorker

Nicci Gerrard is a novelist whose latest book is The Twilight Hour.

The Guardian

"Maybe," agbagb suggests in a metaphor of great beauty, "you're feeling the chill of a twilight hour of a Sunday evening".

The New York Times

Why stage a seven-hour dance and music extravaganza and then call it "Sundown" and suggest that people might best enjoy it at that twilight hour?

The New York Times - Arts

Cultural historian Elizabeth Wilson used post-second World War austerity Britain as the setting for a crime novel in her atmospheric The Twilight Hour (2006), set around bohemian Fitzrovia and Brighton in 1947.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities that occur both around sunset and sunrise, using "twilight hours" effectively captures both periods, avoiding redundancy.

Common error

Avoid using "twilight hours" excessively in formal or business writing where more precise terms like "late afternoon" or "early evening" might be more appropriate.

How to use

Learn how to use "twilight hours" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twilight hours" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate when an action occurs. Ludwig shows its utility in describing periods of increased animal activity or specific times for conducting experiments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "twilight hours" is a versatile term used to describe the periods of partial darkness around sunrise and sunset. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, from scientific studies and news reports to more general descriptions. Its usage allows for specifying a time when light is dim and transitioning, often carrying connotations of mystery or transition. While widely applicable, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives like "dusk hours" or "early evening" in formal settings for enhanced clarity. Ultimately, "twilight hours" serves as a descriptive and evocative way to denote these transitional times of day.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dusk hours

Refers specifically to the period of time just before nightfall.

dawn hours

Refers to the period of time just before sunrise.

evening twilight

More specific and descriptive, highlighting the evening timeframe.

early evening

A broader term for the time after sunset but before night.

sunset period

Focuses on the specific event of the sun setting.

day's end

Figurative; suggests the concluding part of the day.

waning hours

Emphasizes the fading or declining part of a period.

final phase

Broader term indicating the end of something, not specifically time.

dying moments

Figurative; refers to the end of life or a system.

golden hour

Refers to the time shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.

FAQs

How can I use "twilight hours" in a sentence?

You can use "twilight hours" to describe activities or phenomena that occur during the period between daylight and darkness. For example, "Many animals are most active during the "twilight hours"."

What's the difference between "twilight hours" and "night"?

"Twilight hours" refers to the period of partial darkness between day and night or night and day, whereas "night" refers to the period of complete darkness.

What can I say instead of "twilight hours"?

Alternatives include "dusk hours", "dawn hours", "early evening", or "late afternoon", depending on the specific time of day you are referring to.

Is it more appropriate to say "in the twilight hours" or "during the twilight hours"?

Both "in the twilight hours" and "during the twilight hours" are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context of the sentence.