as darkness fell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as darkness fell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a particular moment in time when it began to get dark, such as the end of the day. Example: As darkness fell, the stars were beginning to appear in the night sky.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As darkness fell, sadness turned to anger.

The Guardian

As darkness fell, Dr. King held a press conference.

The New Yorker

As darkness fell, they knocked off for the day.

The New Yorker

We made it to Ngoila as darkness fell.

The New Yorker

As darkness fell, Read drove slowly down Navy Street.

The New Yorker

I returned to the sit-in as darkness fell.

The New Yorker

As darkness fell, the air cooled off somewhat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Later, as darkness fell, the fighters returned to their positions.

The New York Times

The walk seemed increasingly harried, as darkness fell.

The New York Times - Magazine

As darkness fell, American military officials expressed relief.

The New York Times

"As darkness fell, Helen drove her mother into Wexford".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as darkness fell" to set a scene or indicate a change in circumstances, often with a sense of foreboding or transition. For example, "As darkness fell, the mood in the camp became more tense."

Common error

Avoid using "as darkness fell" as a mere time marker without contributing to the overall tone or imagery. Instead of saying, "As darkness fell, they ate dinner", consider a more direct statement unless the darkness is relevant to the narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as darkness fell" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, indicating the time at which an event occurred. It introduces a clause that sets the scene or provides context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as darkness fell" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions as a temporal adverbial, predominantly found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, highlighting its role in setting a scene and creating atmosphere. While versatile, it's best employed to add depth to descriptions rather than as a mere time marker. Alternative phrases, such as "as night descended" or "at nightfall", can offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as night descended

Uses a more formal verb to convey the arrival of night.

when darkness arrived

Focuses on the arrival of darkness as a specific event.

at nightfall

A concise term referring to the time when night begins.

as evening approached

Shifts the focus to the progression towards evening, implying the coming darkness.

when twilight deepened

Emphasizes the deepening of twilight as darkness increases.

as shadows lengthened

Focuses on the visual aspect of lengthening shadows as a sign of approaching darkness.

as the sun set

Highlights the setting sun as the cause of increasing darkness.

with the coming of night

A slightly more descriptive way of indicating the start of night.

when day turned to night

Emphasizes the transition from day to night.

as the light faded

Focuses on the diminishing light, implying the onset of darkness.

FAQs

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

Use "as darkness fell" to describe a scene where the transition to night is significant, often creating a specific mood or setting. For instance, "As darkness fell, a sense of unease settled over the village."

What are some alternatives to "as darkness fell"?

You can use alternatives like "as night descended", "at nightfall", or "when twilight deepened" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as darkness falls" instead of "as darkness fell"?

Yes, "as darkness falls" is grammatically correct. "As darkness fell" refers to a specific point in the past when darkness began, while "as darkness falls" can be used to describe a recurring or general situation.

Can "as darkness fell" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "as darkness fell" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts where setting a scene is important. It's commonly found in news reports, literature, and historical accounts.