dark out

USAGE SUMMARY

"dark out" is not a proper grammatical construction in written English.
It should either be written as "it is dark outside" or "it is getting dark out." Example: "I didn't realize how late it was until I looked outside and noticed it was dark out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was dark out," Bruno said.

The New Yorker

"It was dark out, the water was dark -- but this guy pops up," Mr. Sneddon said.

The New York Times

Only problem is, no matter how good your imaging sensor is, if it's dark out, it's dark out.

TechCrunch

It was dark out still.

Los Angeles Times

"It is rather dark out," I said.

Huffington Post

It's still dark out, why aren't you still in bed?

Huffington Post

It was dark out, but he was still wearing sunglasses.

Huffington Post

"Some parts of photosynthesis stop until it's dark out," Chew said.

Los Angeles Times

When it's dark out, it's like there's always someone looking over my shoulder.

Huffington Post

The struggle of waking up while it's dark out is so, so real.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He loved the dark, out-there movie "Being John Malkovich".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although "dark out" is frequently used in spoken language, prefer the grammatically correct alternatives "it is dark outside" or "it is getting dark" in formal writing.

Common error

While "dark out" might sound natural in casual conversation, relying on it in formal contexts can detract from your writing's credibility. Always opt for more grammatically sound options like "it's dark outside".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dark out" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, describing the state of the external environment. As noted by Ludwig AI, while commonly used, it lacks grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dark out" is frequently encountered, especially in News & Media and Wiki contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect. It functions as a descriptive phrase denoting the absence of daylight and is typically used in informal settings. For formal writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "it is dark outside". Ludwig's examples showcase its common usage, but also highlight the importance of choosing grammatically sound alternatives for enhanced clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's dark outside

Replaces "out" with "outside" to be more grammatically sound.

it's nighttime

Substitutes with a more direct term indicating the night period.

it's getting late

Indicates the approach of night and diminishing daylight.

the sun has set

Focuses on the event that causes darkness, implying the end of daylight.

dusk has fallen

Emphasizes the transition period between daylight and darkness.

night has fallen

Similar to 'dusk has fallen', but stresses the completeness of the night's arrival.

it's pitch black

Highlights the intensity of the darkness.

darkness prevails

Formal way to say darkness is dominant.

twilight is here

Highlights the transition period between daylight and darkness.

it's dim

Indicates a low level of light.

FAQs

Is "dark out" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "dark out" is not considered correct. Better alternatives are "it is dark outside" or "it is getting dark".

What's a better way to say "dark out" in formal writing?

In formal writing, use alternatives such as "it is dark outside" or "darkness has fallen". These are more appropriate and grammatically sound.

How can I use "dark out" correctly?

While "dark out" is often used in casual speech, it's best to reserve it for informal situations. For more formal contexts, use alternatives like "it is dark" or "it is dark outside".

What's the difference between "dark out" and "dark outside"?

"Dark out" is a shortened, less formal way of saying "dark outside". The latter is grammatically correct and suitable for all writing contexts.