dark hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"dark hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "dark hours" to refer to a time of difficulty, hardship, or despair. For example, "The family endured many dark hours during the drought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those were dark hours for me.

The New Yorker

"We had our dark hours," said Mr. Brown, the treasurer.

The New York Times

So goes the insecure writerly mind in the dark hours.

The Guardian - Books

During those dark hours, my calling began anew.

The New York Times - Style

I just hope we all find what we need in our dark hours.

The New York Times

The powerhouses play on, in the dark hours, many time zones away.

The New York Times - Sports

The final push began in the dark hours after midnight on Aug. 1.

The New York Times

Powell never forgot those words, drawing on them for inspiration during dark hours.

The New York Times - Books

Marceau's belongings also tell the story of dark hours in modern France.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Insistant bell ringings, window rappings, and phone calls at after-dark hours told a sorry tale about her predecessor.

The New Yorker

Plates were wrapped with Micropore tape (3M, St . Paul MN) and incubated at 26°C in a growth chamber (18/6 light/dark hours) for about a week.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dark hours" to evoke a sense of prolonged difficulty or suffering, whether in a personal or broader historical context. It is more impactful when describing emotional or metaphorical darkness, rather than literal darkness.

Common error

Avoid using "dark hours" to simply describe nighttime or periods without light. The phrase is most effective when conveying a sense of despair, hardship, or emotional turmoil, not just the absence of light.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dark hours" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. It describes a period characterized by hardship, suffering, or difficulty. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is used to depict challenging or troubling times.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dark hours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a period marked by difficulty, suffering, or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to evoke a sense of gravity and seriousness. When writing, ensure the phrase is used to convey metaphorical or emotional darkness, rather than literal darkness. Alternative phrases include "difficult times" and "hard times". Remember, the impact of "dark hours" lies in its ability to underscore the severity and emotional weight of a given period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult times

Replaces "hours" with a more general term for periods, focusing on the challenging nature.

hard times

Similar to "difficult times", but emphasizes the hardship and struggle involved.

trying times

Highlights the challenging and testing aspects of the period.

times of trouble

Emphasizes the problematic and distressing nature of the period.

periods of adversity

Uses more formal language to refer to times of hardship and misfortune.

days of darkness

Substitutes "hours" with "days" and retains the metaphorical use of "darkness".

bleak times

Uses "bleak" to convey a sense of desolation and hopelessness.

gloomy periods

Focuses on the somber and depressing mood of the period.

challenging moments

Shifts the focus to specific instances rather than extended periods.

desperate straits

Indicates a situation of extreme difficulty and urgency.

FAQs

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

You can use "dark hours" to describe times of hardship, such as "The country faced many "dark hours" during the war" or "She supported him through his "dark hours" after losing his job".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "dark hours"?

Alternatives to "dark hours" include "difficult times", "hard times", or "times of trouble", depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "dark hours" in formal writing?

Yes, "dark hours" can be used in formal writing, particularly when discussing challenging periods in history, business, or personal lives. Its impact is derived from its evocative nature, making it suitable for conveying depth of emotion or severity of circumstance.

What's the difference between "dark hours" and "difficult times"?

"Dark hours" typically implies a more intense and prolonged period of suffering or difficulty compared to the more general term "difficult times". "Dark hours" often carries a heavier emotional weight.