barely dark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely dark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the darkness is minimal or just starting to set in, often in relation to time of day or lighting conditions. Example: "As the sun began to set, the sky was barely dark, allowing the last rays of light to linger."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Draw lightly at first, just barely dark enough to see, then go over it darker, until you are confident enough to finish in pen, marker, or crayon.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was still trim and fine-boned, the blond hair now a salon ash barely darker than the platinum Lauren had sported.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, these were ineffably light, small as marbles, a barely sweet dark chocolate ganache cloaked in a thin shell of dark chocolate and then rolled in cocoa.

Los Angeles Times

The picnic atmosphere in Weehawken barely masked darker undercurrents.

The New York Times

It was already shown that in the absence of either BLR1 or BLR2, transcription of env1 is not induced and remains at barely detectable dark-levels [ 28].

BMC Genomics

Well, yes: the meat itself and its barely seasoned juice — dark, natural, laden with fat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the spectacular waterfall, a filmic flooding of the stage at the end, barely relieves the dark.

The Guardian

In "Clearing Signs, Monhegan," the dark, barely discernible coastline seems to rise from nowhere, ready to be seen at first light.

The New York Times

The planes are as small as children's toys, the bombs no more than tiny hyphens falling weightlessly through the sky and one barely notices the dark speck dropping far below: a hit plane, a pilot crashing to his death.

The Guardian - Arts

In a totally unexpected spot, far from the last sighting, hiding in the dark, barely as tall as your thumb, leafless, probably the rarest plant in Great Britain.

Huffington Post

He managed to crawl to the curb on bloody, prosthetic knees, and sat at the roadside in the dark, barely a block from his house.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely dark" to describe situations where the transition from light to dark is subtle and gradual, such as twilight or a room with minimal lighting. This provides a nuanced description of the ambient conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "barely dark" in scenes that require a more intense or frightening sense of darkness. It's better suited for subtle or atmospheric descriptions rather than creating suspense or fear. Using it inappropriately can weaken the intended effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely dark" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier. It uses the adverb "barely" to qualify the adjective "dark", indicating a minimal degree of darkness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

25%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely dark" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe minimal darkness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Wiki and Science, with a neutral register. Related phrases like "faintly dark" or "scarcely dark" offer similar nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the subtle ambient descriptions for maximum impact, and avoid its use in overly dramatic, intense dark scenes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faintly dark

Replaces "barely" with "faintly", indicating a slightly lighter degree of darkness.

scarcely dark

Uses "scarcely" instead of "barely", emphasizing the lack of darkness.

hardly dark

Employs "hardly" to convey a near absence of darkness.

almost not dark

Expresses the idea of minimal darkness in a more explicit way.

just starting to darken

Focuses on the process of becoming dark rather than the state itself.

lightly shaded

Shifts the focus to shading, implying a gentle darkness.

dimly lit

Highlights the presence of minimal light rather than the absence of it.

slightly dusky

Uses "dusky" to describe a soft, subdued darkness.

softly shadowed

Emphasizes the gentleness of the shadows rather than the intensity of the darkness.

vaguely dark

Indicates an indistinct or unclear sense of darkness.

FAQs

What does "barely dark" mean?

"Barely dark" describes a state where darkness is minimal or just beginning to appear, suggesting a subtle transition from light.

How can I use "barely dark" in a sentence?

You might say, "The sky was "barely dark" as the sun dipped below the horizon", or "The room was "barely dark", illuminated only by a sliver of moonlight."

What are some alternatives to "barely dark"?

Alternatives include "faintly dark", "scarcely dark", or "hardly dark", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "barely dark" formal or informal?

"Barely dark" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts as it's a descriptive phrase without slang or overly technical jargon.