darker impulses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "darker impulses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe negative or sinister thoughts, feelings, or motivations that someone may experience. Example: "The character struggled with his darker impulses, often finding himself torn between right and wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

You yield to your darker impulses.

The New Yorker

Often, however, there are darker impulses at work.

The Washington Post

Quasireligious content, pushed by darker impulses, is a recurrent factor in Chan's work.

The New Yorker

Along the way, Republican candidates continued to play to their base's darker impulses.

The New York Times

The protagonists will be closer to us perhaps more enlightened, but still beholden to darker impulses.

The New Yorker

The protagonists will be closer to us — perhaps more enlightened, but still beholden to darker impulses.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

He believed that the only way for humankind to contain man's darker impulses--self-love, passions, desires, and impulses to narcissistic and destructive behavior--is through belief in God.

Huffington Post

But some darker impulse captured my husband's mind and heart in the early, empty moments preceding 4 A.M. on December 11 , 2010 something that kept Mark from wanting to live.

HuffPost

Its dark impulses, these authors write, reflect excess reptilian activity.

The New Yorker

Elderly witnesses testify about dark days and dark impulses.

The New York Times - Arts

Wilson (right) said, is at the root of both some of our finest and darkest impulses.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "darker impulses" to describe internal conflicts or motivations that lead to negative actions, decisions, or behaviors. It's effective when portraying characters or situations where morality is tested.

Common error

Avoid using "darker impulses" to describe actions solely influenced by external factors or coercion. The phrase implies an internal drive, not just compliance with external pressure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "darker impulses" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It refers to sinister motivations or inclinations. Examples from Ludwig AI show it describing internal conflicts or negative predispositions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "darker impulses" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that refers to negative, sinister, or morally questionable motivations. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans across news, academic, and formal contexts. When writing, consider that it describes internal drives rather than external influences to avoid misattribution. Alternatives like "negative urges" or "sinister desires" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative urges

Focuses on the compelling nature of negative feelings, similar to impulses.

sinister desires

Emphasizes the malicious intent behind the inclinations.

malevolent tendencies

Highlights a predisposition towards evil or harmful actions.

repressed urges

Implies that the impulses are being held back or suppressed.

destructive inclinations

Directly points to the potential for harm or damage.

inner demons

Uses a metaphorical expression for internal struggles with negativity.

wicked thoughts

Highlights the mental aspect of negative inclinations.

immoral cravings

Focuses on the unethical or amoral aspect of the desires.

unethical intentions

Highlights the moral aspect of the impulses.

base instincts

Refers to fundamental, often negative, human drives.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "darker impulses" in a sentence?

Use "darker impulses" to illustrate internal conflict or the temptation to act negatively. For example, "He struggled with his "darker impulses" before making a difficult decision".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "darker impulses"?

Consider using phrases like "negative urges", "sinister desires", or "malevolent tendencies" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

In what context is it most appropriate to use the phrase "darker impulses"?

The phrase "darker impulses" is suited to describe inner struggles related to morality, temptation, and the potential for negative actions, often in literature, psychology, or philosophical discussions.

What's the difference between "darker impulses" and "bad decisions"?

"Darker impulses" refers to the internal motivations or urges that might lead to a negative action, while "bad decisions" are the actions themselves. One precedes and can cause the other.