At night vs By night
Hi
The difference between at night and by night is too confusing for me (or maybe for all non-native speakers.) Could you please help me?
They completed the work by night.
They completed the work at night.
The robbery took place at night.
The robbery took place by night.
Thanks,
Tom
Top answer
Use at night to refer to something that happened after dark: The robbery took place at night. Use by night to refer to nightlife and entertainment. It is also common on postcards: Have you seen Copenhagen by night?
- Use at night to refer to something that happened after dark: The robbery took place at night.
- Use by night to refer to nightlife and entertainment.
- It is also common on postcards: Have you seen Copenhagen by night?
- There is a third alternative.
- It's a little poetic: We heard a train howling in the night.
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Use at night to refer to something that happened after dark:
The robbery took place at night.
Use by night to refer to nightlife and entertainment. It is also common on postcards:
Have you seen Copenhagen by night?
There is a third alternative. It's a little poetic:
We heard a train howling in the night.
CB
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