English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
IN THE NIGHT, AT NIGHT, BY NIGHT
She is sleeping now because the baby didn’t let her sleep ~at night~ (nonstandard).
She is sleeping now because the baby didn’t let her sleep ~by night~ (nonstandard).
She is sleeping now because the baby didn’t let her sleep *in the night* (standard).
“In the night” refers to a particular night.
People sell at this junction ~in the night~ (nonstandard).
People sell at this junction ~by night~ (nonstandard).
People sell at this junction *at night* (standard).
“At night” is used for general habits or routines.
Lagos at night is different from Lagos ~by day~ (nonstandard).
Lagos ~in the night~ is different from Lagos by day (nonstandard).
Lagos *by night* is different from Lagos by day (standard).
“By night” talks about actions that happen during the night instead of the day. “During the night” can also be used in the context.
GAB
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