darkness surrounding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "darkness surrounding" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an atmosphere or situation that feels ominous or enveloping. Example: "The darkness surrounding the abandoned house made it seem even more eerie." Alternative expressions include "enveloping darkness" and "surrounding gloom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Dark love (lips, dance, poison kisses,) Stereotype (darkness surrounding me, labelled this way, I'm an emo they say).

WikiHow

But there's been so much darkness surrounding this season (and this show) that I couldn't trust it at first.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is one of Hume's characteristically ambiguous double images – duck-rabbit style – in this case deepened by the outer darkness surrounding the motif.

The Guardian - Arts

These facts are well known yet still each time you hear one of these late masterpieces, you ponder afresh the darkness surrounding their creation.

The Guardian - Music

Though there have been literary iconoclasts before him, Holden Caulfield and his ultimately futile fight against the phoniness of the world continues to represent a laser of truth burning through the fog of hypocritical darkness surrounding us.

The New York Times - Magazine

No, but she could see a happiness-ripping darkness surrounding me.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Does not darkness surround us all?

The New Yorker

He was living in darkness, surrounded by it.

The Guardian - Opinion

An elderly couple walks though a quiet countryside as darkness surrounds them.

The New York Times - Arts

In effect, it is a projected negative image: an area of darkness surrounded by an outline.

The Guardian - Arts

Darkness surrounds the box: to one side sits another figure; on the other side musicians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase metaphorically to describe tragic circumstances or unknown factors that plague a situation, as seen in Ludwig's news examples regarding political or social issues.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary spatial prepositions like "around" immediately after the phrase (e.g., "the darkness surrounding around the house"). The word surrounding already establishes the spatial relationship clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "darkness surrounding" functions as a noun phrase where "darkness" is modified by the present participle "surrounding". In many instances found in Ludwig, it acts as a post-positive modifier or part of a larger noun phrase describing a state of environment. Ludwig AI notes that it follows standard English conventions for describing spatial relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "darkness surrounding" is a robust and grammatically correct English expression that excels in descriptive and narrative writing. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it is frequently utilized by premier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian to create dramatic contrast or to represent metaphorical gloom. Ludwig AI confirms that while it is most common in journalism and literature, it also appears in scientific literature to describe literal visual conditions. Whether used to describe a physical environment or the mysterious circumstances of a news event, it remains a powerful tool for writers seeking to emphasize isolation or the unknown. Users should feel confident using this phrase to add depth and atmospheric weight to their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

darkness that surrounds

Uses a relative clause for slightly more formal or deliberate emphasis.

enveloping darkness

Suggests a more claustrophobic or total state of being covered by dark.

surrounding gloom

Replaces the absolute word darkness with gloom to suggest a partial or oppressive dimness.

pervasive darkness

Implies that the darkness is spreading through every part of the environment.

ambient darkness

Focuses on the general atmosphere or environmental lighting conditions.

outer darkness

Often used to describe a space beyond a lit area or has theological connotations.

encompassing shadows

Pluralizes the concept and focuses on the shapes cast rather than the absence of light.

peripheral darkness

Specifies that the darkness is at the edges of the field of vision.

obscurity surrounding

Metaphorical variation often used to describe a lack of information or mystery.

inky blackness

A more visceral and metaphorical way to describe total lack of light.

FAQs

How to use "darkness surrounding" in a sentence?

You can use it to set a scene, such as: "The campfire was the only reprieve from the "darkness surrounding" the hikers."

What is the difference between "darkness surrounding" and "surrounding darkness"?

While both are correct, "darkness surrounding" often feels more active or emphasizes the darkness itself as the subject, whereas "surrounding darkness" is a more common attributive noun phrase used to describe the setting generally.

Can I use this phrase metaphorically?

Yes, it is frequently used to describe mystery, tragedy or ignorance, such as the "darkness surrounding the case".

What can I say instead of "darkness surrounding"?

Depending on your context, you might use "enveloping darkness", "ambient darkness" or "pervasive gloom".