deep darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep darkness" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a profound or intense absence of light or metaphorically to indicate a state of despair or confusion. An example could be: "The cave was filled with a deep darkness that swallowed all light." Alternative expressions include "profound darkness" and "utter darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is the deep darkness of Good Friday, the dark story line of humanity, of what we can do to one another, what life can do to us, the story of how God can feel far away and absent, unattentive to our cries.

Huffington Post

A rocky promontory covered with a blur of dark leafy trees rises in deep darkness at left and in the distance a low hill has one side lit up against the backdrop of a leaden grey sky.

The New York Times - Arts

A deep darkness of worry, loneliness, fear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We started in the deep darkness.

The Guardian - Music

If current divisions between species are murky, the past lies in deep darkness.

The New York Times - Science

The kind of deep darkness one can only find under - say - a duvet.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It was coming from a deeper darkness.

The Guardian

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

The New Yorker

And in the deepest darkness of these tragedies, we have also seen the best that America has to offer".

The New York Times - Magazine

War reaches into reintegration and the same living room, where a husband and wife stand on opposite sides in deeper darkness.

The New York Times

The terminator flicked over us, and, in the deeper darkness ahead and below us, I could see a huge lit-up city, glued to the curved Earth, sliding up over the rim of the world to meet me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "deep darkness" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the intended meaning, such as despair, ignorance, or moral corruption. This enhances the phrase's impact and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "deep darkness" in situations where simpler terms like "dark" or "night" suffice. Reserving it for moments of significant intensity or metaphorical weight strengthens its impact. For example, instead of "The room was filled with deep darkness", consider "The room was dark" unless emphasizing the profound absence of light is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep darkness" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "deep" modifies "darkness". It describes a state or condition. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's often used descriptively, emphasizing the intensity or profundity of a dark setting or situation. This is evident in examples where it describes both literal and metaphorical scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep darkness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase functioning primarily as a noun phrase to describe intense darkness, both literally and metaphorically. Ludwig AI highlights its usage across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, with a register that ranges from neutral to formal. While alternatives like "profound darkness" or "intense darkness" exist, "deep darkness" remains a versatile and impactful choice for conveying a sense of obscurity, mystery, or despair. The advice provided aims to guide writers in leveraging its strengths while avoiding common pitfalls, ultimately enhancing their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound darkness

Replaces "deep" with "profound", emphasizing the intensity and depth of the darkness.

intense darkness

Substitutes "deep" with "intense", highlighting the extreme degree of darkness.

utter darkness

Replaces "deep" with "utter", stressing the completeness and totality of the darkness.

extreme darkness

Changes "deep" to "extreme", focusing on the exceptional degree of darkness.

dense darkness

Replaces "deep" with "dense", indicating a thick and impenetrable darkness.

thick darkness

Similar to 'dense darkness', this emphasizes the density and impenetrability of the darkness.

bottomless darkness

Emphasizes the seemingly infinite depth of the darkness, suggesting a lack of limit.

unfathomable darkness

Suggests that the darkness is so deep it cannot be understood or measured.

abyssal darkness

Draws a comparison to the abyss, connoting an immeasurable and terrifying depth of darkness.

Stygian darkness

Alludes to the river Styx of Greek mythology, implying a darkness associated with death and the underworld.

FAQs

How can I use "deep darkness" in a sentence?

"Deep darkness" can be used to describe both a literal absence of light, as in "The cave was shrouded in "deep darkness"", and a metaphorical state, such as "He descended into a "deep darkness" of despair after the loss".

What are some alternatives to "deep darkness"?

Alternatives include "profound darkness", "intense darkness", or "utter darkness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deep darkness" a formal or informal expression?

"Deep darkness" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in literature and descriptive writing. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone and style of the writing.

What does "deep darkness" typically symbolize in literature?

In literature, "deep darkness" often symbolizes despair, ignorance, the unknown, or moral corruption. It can also represent the absence of hope or goodness.