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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Question

Which is correct to say?
"Sunset over the horizon," or, "Sunset on the horizon."

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Well, actually neither; it is redundant, because sunset can be nowhere else. That is why both sound odd. At any rate, it cannot be 'over', since it is not sunrise, and if the sun is above the horizon, it is not yet sunset, is it?

— Mister Micawber

  • Well, actually neither; it is redundant, because sunset can be nowhere else.
  • That is why both sound odd.
  • At any rate, it cannot be 'over', since it is not sunrise, and if the sun is above the horizon, it is not yet sunset, is it?
  • But 'on the horizon' is an idiom meaning 'in the near future'.
  • Perhaps 'sunset beneath the horizon'?
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3 Answers
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Well, actually neither; it is redundant, because sunset can be nowhere else. That is why both sound odd. At any rate, it cannot be 'over', since it is not sunrise, and if the sun is above the horizon, it is not yet sunset, is it? But 'on the horizon' is an idiom meaning 'in the near future'. Perhaps 'sunset beneath the horizon'?
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Thank you for your quick reply, Mister Micawber.

I find it fascinating how the English language works. Would it read better to say, "The sun setting beneath the horizon"?

Thanks, you have been most helpful.
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Both are fine, perfectly idiomatic, and freely used. There's really very little difference between the two in terms of meaning. I'm a British native speaker and I'd be happy to use either, and indeed have (I just wish I could do so more often!)

BillJ
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