completely dark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely dark" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The room was completely dark, making it difficult to find my way around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was completely dark.

The New York Times - Food

Everything was completely dark.

The New York Times - Magazine

"So it's completely dark at night.

The Guardian

At night Grozny was completely dark.

The New York Times - Magazine

The lobby is completely dark and empty.

The New York Times

"The north is almost completely dark".

The New York Times

During this time the Moon is usually not completely dark.

Britannica

Our side of the river was completely dark.

The New Yorker

Inside, it was completely dark, except for the horizon line.

The New Yorker

The windowless halls and fire-exit stairs were completely dark.

The New York Times

Now one side of the street is completely dark.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely dark" to clearly and emphatically describe the absence of light in a scene or situation. It provides a strong visual cue to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "completely dark" too frequently in metaphorical contexts (e.g., "my future seemed completely dark"), as it can sound melodramatic. Opt for alternatives like "bleak" or "uncertain" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely dark" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, typically a place or object, to indicate the total absence of light. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely dark" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to emphatically denote the total absence of light. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various registers, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. While versatile, overuse in metaphorical contexts should be avoided. Alternative phrases such as "totally dark" or "pitch black" can offer stylistic variation. The phrase effectively sets scenes and provides concrete details, enhancing clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally dark

Uses "totally" instead of "completely" for similar emphasis.

utterly dark

Replaces "completely" with "utterly" to convey a sense of totality.

entirely dark

Substitutes "completely" with "entirely", indicating a full extent of darkness.

absolute darkness

Uses "absolute" to highlight the intensity of the darkness.

perfectly dark

Emphasizes the ideal or ultimate state of darkness.

pitch black

Uses a more descriptive and idiomatic term for complete darkness.

in total darkness

Rephrases to emphasize the state of being in complete darkness.

fully darkened

Emphasizes the action of becoming dark.

black as night

Employs a simile to describe the darkness, comparing it to the night.

almost completely dark

Modifies the phrase to indicate a near-total absence of light.

FAQs

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

You can use "completely dark" to describe the absence of light. For example, "The room was "completely dark", and I couldn't see anything."

What are some alternatives to saying "completely dark"?

Alternatives include "totally dark", "pitch black", or "utterly dark", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it redundant to say "completely dark"? Isn't darkness already complete?

While darkness implies the absence of light, "completely dark" emphasizes the total absence, providing a stronger visual and emotional impact. It's not strictly redundant but rather adds emphasis.

What's the difference between "completely dark" and "almost dark"?

"Completely dark" signifies a total absence of light, whereas "almost dark" indicates that light is diminishing but not entirely gone. They describe distinct states of illumination.