grew dark

USAGE SUMMARY

"grew dark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the changing of day to night; for example, "As the sun began to set, the sky grew dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The forest soon grew dark.

The New York Times - Travel

Outside, it grew dark.

The New Yorker

The room grew dark.

The New Yorker

Outside, it grew dark and almost chilly.

The New Yorker

We stayed there as it grew dark.

The Guardian

But as it grew dark, the lines began to blur.

The New York Times

Now in the autumn it grew dark earlier every day.

The New Yorker

It grew dark and we moved inside a small building.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Ms. Markovits reports this chillingly: "Pearela's dress grew darker.

The New York Times - Books

Meanwhile, the U.N.'s internal threat assessments grew darker.

The New Yorker

The wines grew darker, softer, thicker, explosively fruity.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew dark" to describe a gradual transition to darkness, whether literal (describing the sky) or figurative (describing a mood or situation).

Common error

While "grew dark" is a vivid phrase, avoid using it excessively in dramatic writing, as it can become cliché. Opt for more specific and nuanced descriptions of darkness when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew dark" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "grew" is the past tense of "grow" and "dark" functions as an adjective describing the state of increasing darkness. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing a transition to darkness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grew dark" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase to describe the process of becoming darker, whether literally or metaphorically. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in "News & Media". While appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it is important to avoid overuse and consider more nuanced descriptions when suitable. Related phrases include "became dark" and "turned dark", offering similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became dark

Direct synonym, focusing on the resulting state of darkness.

turned dark

Similar to "became dark", but suggests a more abrupt change.

darkened

A more concise, single-word verb conveying the same meaning.

became dim

Implies a reduction in light, rather than complete darkness.

faded to black

More figurative, suggesting a gradual disappearance into darkness.

the light waned

Focuses on the light decreasing rather than the overall darkening.

shadows deepened

Emphasizes the increase of shadows as darkness approaches.

night fell

Refers specifically to the onset of nighttime.

the situation worsened

Uses "grew dark" metaphorically to describe a deteriorating situation.

clouds gathered

Describes the gathering of clouds resulting in darkness.

FAQs

How can I use "grew dark" in a sentence?

You can use "grew dark" to describe the transition from light to darkness, as in "The forest "grew dark" as the sun set", or to describe a figurative darkening, as in "His mood "grew dark" after hearing the news".

What are some synonyms for "grew dark"?

Alternatives to "grew dark" include "became dark", "turned dark", "darkened", or "became dim". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "grew dark" in formal writing?

Yes, "grew dark" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a scene or setting. However, in highly technical or scientific contexts, more precise language might be preferred.

How does the meaning of "grew dark" differ from "became dark"?

"Grew dark" implies a gradual process of darkening, while "became dark" can suggest a more immediate or sudden change. The subtle difference makes each more appropriate for certain contexts.