Evening vs. Night: What's the Difference?

Evening vs Night – Exercises

These exercises focus on Evening vs Night

What is "Evening"?

Evening is the time of day between late afternoon and nighttime. It usually begins around 5:00 PM and ends at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM, depending on cultural norms or daylight hours.

Key Characteristics of Evening:

The sun is either setting or has just set.
It is often associated with activities like relaxing after work, having dinner, or spending time with family.
People often greet others with "Good evening" during this time.

Examples:

Situation	Example Sentence
When you see someone after work	"Good evening! How was your day?"
Talking about plans for dinner	"Let’s meet in the evening at 7 PM."
Describing the sky at sunset	"The evening sky looks beautiful."

What is "Night"?

Night refers to the time when it is completely dark and lasts until early morning. Night typically begins around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM and ends at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM.

Key Characteristics of Night:

The sun has fully set.
People usually sleep during the night.
"Good night" is a farewell phrase used before going to bed.

Examples:

Situation	Example Sentence
Saying goodbye before bedtime	"Good night! Sleep well."
Talking about midnight activities	"We stayed up all night watching movies."
Mentioning darkness	"The stars are so bright at night."

Comparison Table: Evening vs. Night

Feature	Evening	Night
Time	After sunset until around 9:00 PM	From 9:00 PM until early morning
Sky Condition	Sun setting or just set	Fully dark
Activities	Dinner, socializing, relaxing	Sleeping, stargazing, night shifts
Greetings	"Good evening"	"Good night" (before sleeping)

Common Mistakes

Using "Good night" as a greeting:

Incorrect: "Good night! How are you?"
Correct: "Good evening! How are you?"

Mixing up the times:

Incorrect: "It’s a lovely night at 6 PM."
Correct: "It’s a lovely evening at 6 PM."

Saying "night" instead of "evening" for events:

Incorrect: "The concert is at night, at 7 PM."
Correct: "The concert is in the evening, at 7 PM."

FAQ

What is the exact time for evening and night?

Evening is typically from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and night is from 9:00 PM to early morning.

Can I use "Good evening" at 10 PM?

No, after 9:00 PM, "Good evening" is less common. Instead, use "Good night" as a farewell.

What is "late evening"?

Late evening refers to the time just before night begins, around 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Does "night" include midnight?

Yes, night includes midnight and the hours before sunrise.

When should I say "Good night"?

"Good night" is used when leaving or going to bed, not as a greeting.