a patch of gloomy sky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a patch of gloomy sky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific area of the sky that appears dark or overcast, often indicating impending rain or a somber atmosphere. Example: "As we walked along the beach, we noticed a patch of gloomy sky looming overhead, signaling a storm was approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Laid over the photo, filling a patch of gloomy sky, is a text describing a very different scene: a Pacific idyll of blue waters and lush vegetation.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is as if he painted a patch of blue sky for the imprisoned".

The New York Times - Books

In his hand was a fragment of my mother's head with a patch of blue sky behind her.

The New Yorker

It is also a magical, Watteauvian place, where a patch of blue sky descends to caress the hem of a dress.

The New York Times - Arts

Financial analysts see a patch of blue sky should car sales recover.

Forbes

A patch of frozen blue sky was visible through the window.

The New Yorker

There was a scene in Act I where the audience looked up at a patch of night sky from the weirdly angled perspective of a housing-project courtyard.

The New Yorker

A place where a patch of the sky was visible through the leaves, where a little girl let her bare leg dangle too far down.

Huffington Post

I was awoken, on Friday morning, by people outside my window excitedly photographing a patch of sky, which was a shocking blue after three days of clouds.

The New Yorker

When they opened it he saw a patch of sky.

The New Yorker

To the right is a patch of sky with sketchily drawn buildings below.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a patch of gloomy sky" to effectively set a somber or ominous tone in your writing, immediately conveying a sense of foreboding or sadness.

Common error

Avoid using "a patch of gloomy sky" too frequently as a metaphor for emotional states. While evocative, overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing seem repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a patch of gloomy sky" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It serves to vividly depict a particular area of the sky, characterized by darkness and gloom. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and serves a descriptive purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a patch of gloomy sky" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily serving as a descriptive noun phrase to evoke a sense of foreboding or sadness. It's commonly found in News & Media sources, lending a neutral yet evocative tone to written content. While effective in setting a mood, overusing the phrase in metaphorical contexts should be avoided to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as ""an area of dark sky"" or ""a section of overcast sky"" can add variety to one's writing while conveying similar imagery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an area of dark sky

Changes "patch" to "area" to broaden the description, and omits "gloomy" for a more neutral tone.

a section of overcast sky

Replaces "gloomy" with "overcast" to describe the sky's condition, and "patch" with "section" to indicate area.

a dark expanse of sky

Uses "expanse" to suggest a broader area, and retains the "dark" aspect of the sky.

a stretch of gloomy heavens

Replaces "sky" with "heavens" for a more poetic feel, maintaining the "gloomy" descriptor.

a shadowed portion of the sky

Uses "shadowed portion" to describe the effect of gloom, indicating a less bright area.

an area of storm clouds

Focuses on the cause of the gloom by mentioning "storm clouds", changing "patch" to "area".

a region of dark clouds

Emphasizes the "dark" nature using "dark clouds", altering "patch" to "region".

a pocket of gray sky

Replaces "gloomy" with "gray", keeping the sense of a dull or overcast area using "pocket".

a cluster of dark clouds

Focuses specifically on the cloud formation causing the gloom by using "cluster" and "dark clouds".

a veil of dark sky

Uses "veil" metaphorically to suggest the covering effect of the dark sky, omitting "gloomy".

FAQs

How can I use "a patch of gloomy sky" in a sentence?

You can use "a patch of gloomy sky" to describe a specific area of the sky that is dark or overcast, suggesting impending bad weather or a somber atmosphere. For instance: "As the storm approached, a patch of gloomy sky loomed over the horizon."

What does "a patch of gloomy sky" symbolize?

Symbolically, "a patch of gloomy sky" often represents sadness, foreboding, or a sense of something negative approaching. It can also be used to create a mood of suspense or tension in a narrative.

What are some alternatives to "a patch of gloomy sky"?

Consider using alternatives like "an area of dark sky", "a section of overcast sky", or "a dark expanse of sky" to vary your descriptions while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a patch of gloomy skies"?

While grammatically acceptable, "a patch of gloomy skies" is less common than "a patch of gloomy sky". The singular "sky" is generally used to refer to the expanse above, whereas "skies" might suggest multiple distinct areas or perspectives of the sky.