expression darkened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expression darkened" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate a change in a person's facial expression from one that is pleasant or happy to one that is sad, grim, or serious. For example, "Her expression darkened when she realized her mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His expression darkened.

The New York Times - Sports

"And the strike?" At the mention of it, my mother's expression darkened.

The New Yorker

Her expression darkened when she was asked to describe her relationship with Olivier Sarkozy, which she dismissed as a media fabrication.

The New York Times

He frowned, and his expression darkened a little in what I first read as anger, but which gradually revealed itself as an effort to contemplate the question with care.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

His face darkened.

The New York Times - Magazine

Toibin's face darkened.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Cohen's face darkened.

Vice

But then I ask when he has felt most powerless in his life, and his expression darkens.

The Guardian - Film

Yet the bottom line is that Kompany, approaching his 30th birthday, is too susceptible and City's supporters have become wearily accustomed to those seemingly innocuous moments when he stretches for the ball, feels the flash of tell-tale pain, then his hand goes up and his expression darkens.

The Guardian - Sport

Fair to say at this moment my stomach dropped, and I looked through the glass to my producer Graham to see his expression darken as he read the same tweet as well as numerous messages all pinging through on his phone.

Independent

It was an overcast day, which made sense--Stewart has a way of obscuring his good looks with a perennially darkened expression.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expression darkened" to subtly convey a shift in mood or emotional state, creating a sense of foreboding or tension in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "expression darkened" excessively in overly dramatic scenes, as it can come across as cliché. Opt for more nuanced descriptions of facial expressions to maintain subtlety and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expression darkened" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to indicate a negative shift in a person's emotional state as reflected in their facial expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its use in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expression darkened" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe a shift in someone's facial expression toward negativity or seriousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and contextually appropriate phrase, found most often in news and media sources. While alternatives like "face clouded over" or "features hardened" offer nuanced shades of meaning, "expression darkened" provides a direct and effective means of conveying a change in emotional state. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overuse in melodramatic contexts, opting instead for subtle and impactful descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face clouded over

Uses a metaphorical description, focusing on the visual change in facial expression.

countenance grew grim

Emphasizes a stern or forbidding appearance in place of a general darkening.

features hardened

Indicates a change towards a more severe and inflexible facial expression.

face fell

Suggests a sudden onset of disappointment or sadness.

visage turned sour

Conveys a displeased or bitter facial expression.

look turned bleak

Highlights the hopelessness or despair conveyed in the expression.

complexion changed

A general change in complexion.

face became serious

A more direct and less figurative way of describing the change.

expression turned serious

Replaces "darkened" with a more neutral term indicating a change in emotional display.

demeanor shifted

Indicates a change in overall attitude or behavior, including facial expression.

FAQs

How can I use "expression darkened" in a sentence?

You can use "expression darkened" to describe a change in someone's facial expression to indicate sadness, anger, or worry. For example, "His "expression darkened" when he heard the bad news".

What are some alternatives to "expression darkened"?

Alternatives include "face clouded over", "countenance grew grim", or "features hardened", which offer different shades of meaning.

Is it correct to say "his face darkened" instead of "expression darkened"?

Yes, "his face darkened" is also correct and conveys a similar meaning, focusing more on the physical change in the face.

What does it mean when someone's expression darkens?

It typically means their mood has soured, and their face now reflects negative emotions like sadness, disappointment, or anger.