as darkness arrived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as darkness arrived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the onset of night or a metaphorical sense of gloom or negativity approaching. Example: "As darkness arrived, the village fell silent, and the stars began to twinkle in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

AS darkness arrived, a few young adults arrived with paddles and balls.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As darkness arrives, the patio is illuminated by lantern-style lights on the building and tiki torches along the fence.

The New York Times

For the first few weeks after winter began and the darkness arrived, we held our own timewise.

The New York Times

We began the seven-mile approach in chilly, fir-scented darkness, arriving at the base of the Diamond as the sun came up.

The New York Times - Travel

Des, emerging from darkness, arrives at Dawn.

The New York Times - Books

"Star Trek Into Darkness" arrives on May 15 in IMAX theaters before rolling out nationwide on May 17.

Huffington Post

"It was difficult at the end," said Sampras, whose serve darted even more invisibly as darkness began to arrive.

The New York Times - Sports

We arrived as darkness began to fall; hundreds of people, having finished the workday, crowded the rutted streets.

The New Yorker

("I must not think that, just as my conceptions of rest and darkness are arrived at by negating movement and light, so my perception of the infinite is arrived at not by means of a true idea but by merely negating the finite," Third Meditation, p. 94).

SEP

At the Hernandez Community Center, where families and friends were told to come to get information on loved ones, buses continued to arrive as darkness set over San Bernardino.

Los Angeles Times

By now, darkness has arrived.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as darkness arrived" to set a specific temporal context, often creating a sense of foreboding or transition. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative writing to mark a change in atmosphere or plot.

Common error

Avoid using "as darkness arrived" in purely informational or technical writing where a simpler phrase like "at night" would suffice. This phrase carries a specific tone that isn't always appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as darkness arrived" functions as a temporal clause, setting the scene and providing context for the main clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It indicates the time when something else happened, similar to phrases like "as night fell."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as darkness arrived" is a grammatically correct temporal clause frequently used in narrative and descriptive writing, particularly within the News & Media sector. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While the phrase is versatile, it’s most effective in creating atmosphere and setting a specific temporal context. Consider alternatives like "as night fell" for simpler contexts. By avoiding overuse in purely informational settings and being mindful of the intended tone, writers can leverage this phrase to enhance their storytelling and descriptive prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as night fell

Focuses specifically on the event of night starting, omitting the sense of a gradual coming.

when evening came

Replaces "darkness" with "evening", highlighting the time of day.

as twilight descended

Uses "twilight" to indicate the period between day and night.

with the coming of night

Emphasizes the arrival of night as the key event.

as shadows lengthened

Focuses on the visual effect of growing shadows as night approaches.

when day turned to night

Highlights the transition from daytime to nighttime.

at nightfall

A single word replacement, meaning the start of night.

as the sun set

References the setting sun as a marker of approaching darkness.

when the stars appeared

Shifts the focus to the emergence of stars as darkness increases.

as the light faded

Emphasizes the diminishing of light as night approaches.

FAQs

How can I use "as darkness arrived" in a sentence?

Use "as darkness arrived" to indicate a specific point in time when night began, often creating a sense of atmosphere or transition. For example: "As darkness arrived, the village fell silent.

What can I say instead of "as darkness arrived"?

You can use alternatives like "as night fell", "when evening came", or "at nightfall" depending on the desired tone and context.

Which is correct: "as darkness arrived" or "when darkness arrived"?

"As darkness arrived" and "when darkness arrived" are both grammatically correct, but "as darkness arrived" often implies a gradual or contextual element, while "when darkness arrived" suggests a more specific moment in time.

What’s the difference between "as darkness arrived" and "as darkness fell"?

The phrases "as darkness arrived" and "as darkness fell" are very similar, both denoting the onset of night. However, "as darkness arrived" can sometimes carry a slightly more dramatic or metaphorical connotation, whereas "as darkness fell" is often more literal.