Afternoon changes to evening when it starts getting dark, more or less. However, it depends on the time of year. In summer, we stop saying afternoon by six o'clock, even if it is still light. In winter we go on saying afternoon until at least five o'clock, even if it is dark.

Evening changes to night more or less at bedtime. Note that Good evening usually means 'Hello', and Good night means 'Goodbye' — it is never used to greet people.

• 1. Good evening Terrible weather, isn't it?
• 2. Yes, dreadful.
• 1. Hasn't stopped raining for weeks. Well. I must be going. Good night
• 2. Good night

Adverbs of place

Adverbs of place usually go in end position, but we can put them in front position to show a contrast or expansion. This order is found mainly in descriptive writing and reports. Compare:

• The money was eventually found under the floorboards. (= end) and
• The police searched the house and under the floorboards they found a body. (= front)
  

Should numbers be written in figures or in words? In mathematical, scientific, technical and business contexts, figures are used, as you would expect. The problem arises in straightforward prose (an essay, perhaps, or a short story or a letter). The rule of thumb is that small numbers are written as words and large numbers are written as figures.