dark towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dark towards" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a poetic or metaphorical context to describe a direction or feeling of darkness, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The sky grew dark towards the horizon, signaling an approaching storm."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

As they drove through the dark towards the invisible horizon, they munched on raisin bread.

The Guardian - Books

At 5.30am on the big day I headed in the dark towards town and the start.

The Guardian - Travel

"We are all like bats, flying blindly through the dark, towards our creator, the God who does not exist".

The Guardian - Music

It's 4am and the rush-hour trail of tuk-tuks is already snaking through the dark towards the sprawling Angkor complex, illuminated only by the roadside bonfires lit by hawkers and itinerant families.

Independent

Pakistan seems unlikely to get its way on drones, or the apology.In Congress the mood is dark towards Pakistan, and even those, such as Senator John Kerry, regarded as "friends" now appear to have had enough.

The Economist

As the Phoenix's reinforced steel bow ploughed through the swell towards the Libyan coast, the Eritreans were shepherded into groups of 50 to 100 and put into motor skiffs that carried them through the dark towards two fishing boats that, to their dismay, were both very old and very small.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It grew blood-dark towards the end, and cliffhung: both Clara and the Tardis apparently annihilated.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The top of an animal's back, facing the sky, remains bright, while it must become darker towards its underside.

Wikipedia

Upon further magnification, it is visible as a slightly elliptical annular disk that gets darker towards the center, with a magnitude 13.2 central star.

Wikipedia

The dorsal coloration is grayish, reddish, or greenish brown; some individuals also possess bluish spots, are darker towards the sides and rear, or have a thin white disc margin.

Wikipedia

The five subspecies of vervet monkey are: Chlorocebus pygerythrus excubitor C. p. hilgerti from southern Kenya C. p. nesiotes C. p. pygerythus from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland C. p. rufoviridis from Mozambique and Uganda has a distinctly reddish-coloured back, which is darker towards the base of the tail.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dark towards", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a physical direction or a metaphorical shift in mood, tone, or situation. For example: "The forest grew dark towards the mountain."

Common error

Avoid using "dark towards" when a clearer, more direct phrase would prevent ambiguity. Instead of "He felt dark towards the future", try "He felt pessimistic about the future."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dark towards" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a direction or tendency toward darkness. It is often used to describe a physical space or a metaphorical shift in mood or tone, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dark towards" is an uncommon but acceptable way to describe a direction or tendency toward darkness, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig indicates that while grammatically sound, it may not always be the clearest choice and provides alternatives for enhanced precision. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, with a neutral register. When using "dark towards", consider whether a more direct or descriptive phrase would better convey your intended meaning. Examples from Ludwig shows how different sources are using this term, while the suggestion from Ludwig AI is to use the term carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclining to darkness

Emphasizes a leaning or predisposition towards darkness.

moving into shadow

Describes a physical movement from light to shadow.

tending towards gloom

Highlights a prevailing mood or atmosphere of gloominess.

shifting to darkness

Suggests a change of state towards darkness.

progressing into shadow

Focuses on the gradual movement into a shadowy state.

veering into darkness

Suggests a sudden or unexpected shift into darkness.

degenerating into darkness

Describes a process of decline or decay leading to darkness.

drifting into obscurity

Implies a gradual fading or loss of clarity.

gravitating to obscurity

Highlights a natural inclination or pull towards a state of obscurity.

heading into twilight

Evokes a sense of transition or decline, often associated with evening.

FAQs

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

The phrase "dark towards" can be used to describe a physical area that is becoming increasingly dark, or a metaphorical shift in mood or tone. For example: "The sky grew dark towards the west" or "His thoughts turned dark towards the end of the story".

What is the difference between "dark towards" and "darker towards"?

"Darker towards" implies a gradient or a gradual increase in darkness, while "dark towards" simply indicates a direction or area that is generally dark. For example: "The fabric was "darker towards" the edges" suggests a gradual shading, whereas "The room was dark towards the back" indicates a general area of darkness.

Are there alternatives to using "dark towards" that might be more precise?

Yes, depending on the context. If describing a physical space, you could use phrases like "shadowy in the direction of" or "gloomy towards". For metaphorical uses, consider alternatives such as "inclining to darkness" or "tending towards gloom".

Is "dark towards" considered grammatically correct?

While not a standard or frequently used phrase, "dark towards" is grammatically acceptable. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not common and can be improved for clarity. Use it judiciously, ensuring the context makes its meaning clear.