a deeper shade of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deeper shade of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a color that is more intense or darker than another shade. Example: "The artist chose a deeper shade of blue for the ocean in her painting to convey a sense of depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It's like a deeper shade of purple".

The New York Times - Arts

April blushed a deeper shade of pink and redoubled her concentration on the claw.

The New York Times - Magazine

We all donned turquoise Between T-shirts that soon turned a deeper shade of green.

The New Yorker

I never laughed so hard or turned a deeper shade of red in my entire life.

The New York Times

His cheeks go from their normal hue of pink to a deeper shade of red.

The New York Times

But before Democrats could begin coloring the state a deeper shade of blue, things began to change.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

His face turned a deep shade of red.

The Washington Post

Ms. Portman wore a deep shade of lipstick that received a lot of attention.

The New York Times

The second child appeared to barely respond, and his lips were a deep shade of blue.

The New York Times

The silences that followed these jokes always turned her cheeks a deep shade of purple.

The New Yorker

If Dawkins, Colley, Ricks and Ferguson are pinko, I'm a deep shade of indigo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a deeper shade of" when you want to describe a color that is noticeably darker or more intense than another, creating a vivid image for the reader. For example, "The sunset painted the sky a deeper shade of orange."

Common error

Avoid using "a deeper shade of" to describe qualities other than color. For instance, it's incorrect to say "a deeper shade of understanding"; instead, use phrases like "a deeper understanding of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deeper shade of" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (usually a color) with a higher intensity or darkness. Ludwig examples show it qualifying colors like purple, pink, red, blue, green, brown, black and gray.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a deeper shade of" is a commonly used adjectival phrase that describes a color with greater intensity or darkness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and found across a range of reliable sources, including News & Media, Science and Wiki. While versatile, it's best used to describe colors and can be replaced with alternatives like "a darker hue of" or "a more intense color of" for variety. Remember to avoid using it for non-color attributes to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a darker hue of

Changes the word "shade" to "hue", emphasizing the quality of color.

a more intense color of

Replaces "deeper shade" with "more intense color", focusing on the intensity rather than the depth of the shade.

a richer tone of

Substitutes "shade" with "tone", suggesting a fuller, more vibrant quality of color.

a darker variation of

Uses "darker variation" to indicate a version that is less bright.

a profound tint of

Replaces "deeper shade" with "profound tint", implying a significant degree of color.

a darker cast of

Replaces shade with cast, focuses on the overlaying color.

a saturated version of

Emphasizes the saturation level of the color, indicating a higher intensity.

a strong color of

Replaces "deeper shade" with "strong color", emphasizing the intensity of the color.

a marked tone of

Uses "marked tone" to suggest that there is a visible different tone of the color.

a somber color of

Suggests the darker color is not only more intense but also has a negative emotional quality.

FAQs

How can I use "a deeper shade of" in a sentence?

Use "a deeper shade of" to describe a color that is more intense or darker than another. For example, "She chose "a deeper shade of blue" for the walls to create a calming atmosphere".

What can I say instead of "a deeper shade of"?

You can use alternatives like "a darker hue of", "a more intense color of", or "a richer tone of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a deeper shade of blue" or "a deep shade of blue"?

"A deeper shade of blue" is used to compare it with another shade of blue, implying a relative difference in depth. "A deep shade of blue" simply describes the color as being deep, without direct comparison.

What's the difference between "a deeper shade of" and "a lighter shade of"?

"A deeper shade of" indicates a darker, more intense color, while "a lighter shade of" indicates a less intense, paler color. Both describe relative differences in color intensity.