got darker for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got darker for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or mood that has become more negative or serious for someone or something. Example: "As the storm approached, the sky got darker for everyone at the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Life has only got darker for them.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As things get darker for everyone else, they keep getting brighter for Jack.

The New Yorker

The night was getting darker for the Mets until Piazza smacked a two-run homer in the fourth inning, driving a low pitch from Jennings over the wall in right-center field.

The New York Times - Sports

Metcalfe went onto tease that things will get "darker" for her character.

Wikipedia

With Season 5 of the HBO series weeks away, we know things are only getting darker for the Stark kids.

Huffington Post

Will is working on creating a family with Molly and when things get darkest for him while investigating the Tooth Fairy, he calls her and imagines she's by his side, fighting off the darkness.

The Guardian

It got darker and darker.

The New Yorker

The room got darker.

The New Yorker

If you've got dark skin, go for a berry colour.

WikiHow

"Jeans are just going to get darker and darker for fall," says Stephanie Rygorsky, a stylist and fashion writer in New York City.

Forbes

When it got dark, he would go home for his evening meal before returning to the store, where he would "pull a cot from under the counter, make it up, and sleep until morning with a gun by my side.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got darker for" to describe situations where circumstances have deteriorated, especially concerning emotional or metaphorical darkness. For example, "After the scandal, the future got darker for the company".

Common error

Avoid using "got darker for" solely to describe a decrease in physical light. Opt for more direct phrases like "it got darker" when referring to the time of day or a physical space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got darker for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a change of state, specifically a negative shift in circumstances or prospects. Ludwig examples show it describing worsening situations for individuals and groups.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got darker for" is used to describe the worsening of a situation, making it more negative or hopeless for a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct but infrequent. Related phrases include "became bleaker for" and "turned ominous for", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. When using "got darker for", it's best to avoid overuse in literal contexts, reserving it for situations where circumstances have deteriorated metaphorically. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, indicating its suitability for describing negative developments. Overall, while correct, consider alternative phrasing if writing for formal business or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became bleaker for

Replaces "got darker" with "became bleaker", emphasizing a loss of hope.

turned ominous for

Substitutes "got darker" with "turned ominous", highlighting a sense of impending danger.

worsened for

Uses "worsened" to convey a general decline in circumstances.

declined for

Replaces the idiomatic phrase with a more formal term indicating reduction in quality or condition.

deteriorated for

Emphasizes a gradual decline or decay.

took a turn for the worse for

An idiomatic alternative indicating a significant downturn.

became more challenging for

Focuses on increased difficulty or hardship.

grew more difficult for

Suggests increasing problems or obstacles.

became less promising for

Highlights a decrease in positive prospects.

lost its luster for

Indicates a loss of appeal or attractiveness.

FAQs

What does "got darker for" mean?

The phrase "got darker for" means that a situation or outlook has become more negative, difficult, or hopeless for someone or something. It implies a deterioration of circumstances.

What can I say instead of "got darker for"?

You can use alternatives like "became bleaker for", "turned ominous for", or "worsened for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "got darker for" formal or informal?

The phrase "got darker for" is generally considered neutral to informal. More formal alternatives might include "deteriorated for" or "declined for".

How can I use "got darker for" in a sentence?

You can use "got darker for" to describe how an event or situation negatively impacted someone or something. For example, "After the company's financial losses, the future got darker for its employees".