complete darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

"complete darkness" is an acceptable and often-used phrase in written English.
You could use "complete darkness" to convey a situation in which there is no light, such as saying, "The cave was engulfed in complete darkness, making it difficult to find our way out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Return before dark as soon after sunset there might be sudden and complete darkness.

WikiHow

Utter, complete darkness.

The Guardian - Music

There was complete darkness.

The New York Times

Long months of complete darkness.

Independent

It was complete darkness around".

The New York Times

Complete darkness, under the stars.

Stanford University

This is all happening in complete darkness.

The Guardian - Tech

"The ceremonies gave me ecstatic euphoria and complete darkness.

The Guardian - Music

Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness.

The Guardian - Travel

Nick Houfek's effective lighting at times involves complete darkness.

The New York Times

Photographers often need red light or complete darkness to develop a film.

Introduction to Digital Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete darkness" to describe situations where light is entirely absent, such as in a cave, during a power outage, or in deep space. It effectively communicates a total lack of illumination.

Common error

Avoid using "complete darkness" when you mean dim light or partial shade. The phrase indicates a total absence of light, not just a reduction in brightness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete darkness" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a state or condition related to the absence of light. Ludwig examples show it in various contexts, such as describing physical environments or abstract situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complete darkness" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a total absence of light. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted in written English and appears frequently across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While synonyms like "total darkness" or "utter darkness" exist, "complete darkness" effectively conveys the intended meaning, suitable for diverse contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you're accurately representing the absence of light and not simply referring to dim conditions. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total darkness

Emphasizes the totality of the absence of light, similar to the original phrase.

utter darkness

Highlights the intensity and completeness of the darkness.

pitch black

A more informal and vivid way to describe complete darkness.

total blackness

Focuses on the quality of being black in its entirety.

lightless environment

Describes the surrounding conditions where there is no light.

absolute darkness

Stresses the absolute nature of the darkness, leaving no room for light.

inky blackness

Evokes a sense of the darkness being thick and enveloping, like ink.

absence of light

A more technical or scientific way of referring to complete darkness.

Stygian darkness

Uses a literary reference (the river Styx in the underworld) to convey profound darkness.

gloomy obscurity

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and the depressing quality of the darkness.

FAQs

How can I use "complete darkness" in a sentence?

You can use "complete darkness" to describe a total absence of light. For example, "The forest was shrouded in "complete darkness", making it impossible to see the path ahead."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "complete darkness"?

Similar phrases include "total darkness", "utter darkness", and "pitch black". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "absolute darkness" instead of "complete darkness"?

Yes, "absolute darkness" is a valid and similar alternative to "complete darkness". Both phrases emphasize the total absence of light.

What is the difference between "complete darkness" and "total darkness"?

The phrases ""complete darkness"" and ""total darkness"" are largely interchangeable. Both describe the absence of any light. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.