darkness has set in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "darkness has set in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the onset of night or a metaphorical sense of despair or trouble. Example: "As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness has set in, enveloping the landscape in shadows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Most of it reaches the factories well after sunset and darkness has set in.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

About 9 p.m., after darkness had set in, a truck entered petitioner's yard and retreated out of the officers' sight behind the house.

Cornell University

Reality had set in.

Los Angeles Times

Located at an altitude of 85 kilometres, such a cloud is the highest on Earth and can be seen only when darkness has just set in on the planet.

Britannica

Tim Shaw has set three challenges for the public: to document darkness; record remoteness; send silence.

The Guardian

In the darkness the military had set up a position in the rubble of a former Jewish settlement.

The Guardian

As with his "Uncle Vanya," seen in Brooklyn earlier this year, he and his designer, Anthony Ward, have set the show within the darkness of a deep antique proscenium.

The New York Times

The sun had set and a golden moon had risen in the darkness, but she still hadn't come home.

The New Yorker

Darkness was setting in as we arrived back at Zambezi Horse Trails and we were all much better off for the afternoon in nature that we had just experienced..

Huffington Post

And then the final diamond-like flash just before total darkness sets in!

The New York Times

Within moments and with the light of a head torch to guide me as darkness set in, I had a fire going (bring your own fuel) and discovered previous visitors had left tea lights, a box of fire lighters and a collection of half-finished booze bottles.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase when emphasizing the transition from light to darkness, either literally or metaphorically.

Common error

Avoid using "darkness has set in" in contexts where the tone is not serious or where a more straightforward description of nightfall would be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "darkness has set in" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating a state of completion or arrival. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase commonly used to describe the onset of night or a metaphorical descent into gloom or despair.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "darkness has set in" is a grammatically correct phrase often used to describe the literal or figurative arrival of darkness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, descriptive writing, and storytelling, carrying a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in overly dramatic contexts. Related phrases include "night has fallen" and "gloom has descended", offering alternative ways to express a similar meaning. Its frequency is common, appearing in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

night has fallen

This alternative directly replaces "darkness" with "night", focusing on the literal arrival of nighttime.

evening has arrived

Replaces "darkness" with "evening" and uses "arrived" instead of "set in", indicating the end of the day.

twilight has begun

Focuses on the transition period of twilight instead of complete darkness.

gloom has descended

This option is more metaphorical, using "gloom" to imply a sense of sadness or foreboding in addition to darkness.

shadows have deepened

Highlights the intensification of shadows as darkness increases, offering a more descriptive alternative.

daylight has faded

Focuses on the disappearance of daylight as the primary change.

the sun has gone down

A literal description of sunset, which leads to darkness.

nighttime is here

A simple and direct statement indicating the arrival of night.

darkness is upon us

A more dramatic and impending sense of darkness arriving.

the light has diminished

Emphasizes the reduction of light, leading to darkness.

FAQs

What does "darkness has set in" mean?

The phrase "darkness has set in" means that night has begun, and the surroundings have become dark. Metaphorically, it can also mean that a period of trouble or despair has begun.

What can I say instead of "darkness has set in"?

You can use alternatives like "night has fallen", "evening has arrived", or "gloom has descended" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "darkness has set in" in formal writing?

Yes, "darkness has set in" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a scene or setting a tone. However, consider the context and whether a more direct phrase would be clearer.

How can I use "darkness has set in" in a sentence?

You can use "darkness has set in" to describe the end of the day, for example: "As the sun dipped below the horizon, "darkness has set in", enveloping the landscape in shadows." You can also use it metaphorically such as: "After the company's collapse, "darkness has set in" on the once-thriving town."