Mastering "In the Early Evening": A Simple Grammar Guide

Ever wondered how to precisely talk about time in English? English learners often ask how to specify moments like 'afternoon' but before 'night.' One perfect way to do this is by using the adverbial phrase in the early evening. This common phrase helps you describe when things happen with natural sentence use, making your English sound more fluent. Let's explore its meaning, usage, and how to avoid common mistakes, improving your grammar rules knowledge.

Table of Contents

• What Does “in the early evening” Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “in the early evening”?
• Example Sentences with “in the early evening”?
• When and How to Use “in the early evening”?
• Summary and Practice Tip

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What Does “in the early evening” Mean?

In the early evening refers to the period just after the late afternoon, but before it gets completely dark or late into the night. It typically indicates the time between approximately 5 PM and 7 PM. This specific adverbial phrase is used to indicate when an action occurs. It helps to modify verbs by providing precise information about the timing of an event or activity.

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What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “in the early evening”?

"In the early evening" is an adverbial phrase of time. It functions like an adverb, adding detail about when something happens. Understanding how to use adverbial phrases like this is key to building good sentence structure.

Its grammatical structure breaks down as follows:

• Preposition: in
• Article/Determiner: the
• Adjective: early (describes the noun 'evening')
• Noun: evening

Together, "the early evening" forms a noun phrase, and "in the early evening" is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb.

This phrase is very flexible in a sentence. You can place it at the beginning or end of a sentence. Placing it at the beginning can add emphasis.

Here are common sentence patterns:

• Subject + Verb + [in the early evening]:
  • They will arrivein the early evening.
• [In the early evening], Subject + Verb:
  • In the early evening, we like to relax.

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Example Sentences with “in the early evening”

Here are some natural sentences to show how "in the early evening" is used:

• The park is often busy in the early evening with joggers.
• We decided to have dinner quite early, around in the early evening.
• Person A: "What time does the concert start?"
• Person B: "It kicks off in the early evening, so be there by 6 PM."
• Person A: "Did you manage to call your parents today?"
• Person B: "Yes, I called them in the early evening after work."

When and How to Use “in the early evening”

You can use "in the early evening" in many contexts, from casual conversations to more formal writing like emails or instructions. It’s perfect for describing regular routines, planning events, or simply narrating past actions. It’s a versatile phrase for everyday English grammar help.

Common Variations and Related Phrases:

• in the late afternoon (just before in the early evening)
• in the evening (a broader time frame)
• at dusk (refers to the time just before night)

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Missing 'the': Don't say "in early evening." Always include the article "the."
  • Incorrect: I'll meet you in early evening.
  • Correct: I'll meet you in the early evening.
• Wrong Preposition: Using "at" instead of "in" is a common error for time phrases like this. You use "at" for specific times (at 6 PM, at night) but "in" for broader parts of the day.
  • Incorrect: She arrived at the early evening.
  • Correct: She arrived in the early evening.
• Confusing with 'tonight': "Tonight" refers specifically to this evening, while "in the early evening" describes a general time period.
  • For more clarity on "evening," you can check its definition on the Cambridge Dictionary.

Using this phrase correctly helps you describe when and where actions occur, making your English more precise and natural.

Summary and Practice Tip

The adverbial phrase in the early evening is an excellent way to specify a time just after the afternoon but before night. It acts as an adverb of time, clarifying when an action takes place. Remember its structure: in + the + early + evening, and practice using it naturally to improve your fluency in English.

Your turn! Try writing one or two sentences using "in the early evening" in the comments below. For more tips on how to use adverbial phrases and common mistakes in English, explore our other articles on ESL writing tips and learn English grammar.