fall into darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall into darkness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a descent into despair, confusion, or moral decline. Example: "After the tragic events, he felt as though he would fall into darkness, unable to find his way back to happiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

To the right, the damned, vexed by demons, fall into darkness.

The New York Times - Arts

Just where the light from outside began to fall into darkness, we stopped.

The New York Times - Travel

It took Keats a year to die, and though there were moments of seeming reprieve, of false hope, it was mostly a long, dwindling fall into darkness.

The New York Times - Books

Meyer copied a technique used during filming of Citizen Kane, where the filmmakers let the set fall into darkness to save money on construction.

Wikipedia

Oleg, for instance, is only 19 years old, but he already knows how "to fall into darkness and get back to the light", as he was previously in prison.

Unicef

This is a sustained act of empathy, and one of the things I admire most about Ford's new novel is how carefully he traces one family's fall into darkness, one small, bad adult decision at a time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Then the lights cut out, and everything fell into darkness.

The New York Times

"Fires burned near the shoreline, but otherwise the city fell into darkness," the Times reported.

The New Yorker

He kept the lights off, and as twilight approached the room fell into darkness.

The New Yorker

Virginia Woolf killed herself when the world was falling into darkness, when the Nazis were still winning.

The Guardian - Books

As night fell in Port-au-Prince Port-au-Princeal, Port-au-Prince, Haiti shoreline downtown, but otherwise the city fell into darkness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall into darkness" to evoke a sense of dramatic decline, loss of hope, or descent into a negative state, whether literal or metaphorical. For example, it effectively describes a character's moral degradation or a society's descent into chaos.

Common error

Avoid using "fall into darkness" solely to describe a simple lack of light. The phrase carries a strong metaphorical weight and should be reserved for situations where the darkness symbolizes something deeper than just the absence of light.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into darkness" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically sound and commonly used to depict metaphorical descents into negative states or conditions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall into darkness" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase used primarily to describe a descent into negative states, whether literal or metaphorical. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's most effective when used to add emotional depth and should be avoided in purely literal contexts. Given its usage across news, wiki, and formal business sources, it maintains a generally neutral register. Remember to choose related phrases carefully to align with the specific nuance you intend to convey. It's a powerful tool when used thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend into shadow

Focuses on the act of moving downward, like "fall", but replacing "darkness" with "shadow", suggesting a lesser degree of obscurity.

sink into despair

Shifts the focus from a physical or literal darkness to an emotional state of hopelessness.

succumb to oblivion

Implies a surrender to a state of being forgotten or unknown, rather than a descent into literal or metaphorical darkness.

plunge into gloom

Similar to "fall into darkness" but replaces "darkness" with "gloom", emphasizing a state of sadness or depression.

decline into obscurity

Suggests a gradual fading from prominence or recognition, instead of sudden descent.

lapse into unconsciousness

Implies a loss of awareness, offering a more physical interpretation related to a loss of mental clarity.

fade into twilight

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance, using "twilight" as a metaphor for fading light and eventual disappearance.

drift into despair

Suggests a gradual and passive movement into a state of hopelessness, rather than a sudden fall.

plummet into despair

Conveys a rapid and dramatic descent into a state of hopelessness, intensifying the feeling of the fall.

slide into corruption

Focuses on moral decay and deterioration, replacing literal darkness with moral darkness.

FAQs

How can I use "fall into darkness" in a sentence?

The phrase "fall into darkness" is often used metaphorically to describe a descent into despair, moral decline, or a state of ignorance. For instance, "After the company's scandal, its reputation "fell into darkness"".

What are some alternatives to "fall into darkness"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "descend into shadow", "sink into despair", or "decline into obscurity" as alternatives to "fall into darkness".

Is "fall into darkness" a formal or informal expression?

"Fall into darkness" leans towards a more formal and literary register due to its metaphorical nature. In casual conversation, simpler phrases might be preferred.

What does it mean to "fall into darkness"?

To "fall into darkness" signifies a decline, a loss of hope, or a descent into a negative state, whether literal or metaphorical. It can describe a physical environment becoming dark or a person's emotional state deteriorating.