growing dusk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing dusk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the gradual onset of evening or twilight, often evoking a sense of atmosphere or mood. Example: "As we walked through the forest, the growing dusk enveloped us, casting long shadows among the trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is growing dusk.

Independent

It was growing dusk.

The Guardian

As I walked out across the Hudson River in the growing dusk, the city spread wider and wider.

The New York Times - Arts

I recently watched as she drove off for the first time by herself, the taillights of our old Mazda receding down the street in the growing dusk.

The New York Times

Street scenes show an eerie underpass, cars flashing past in the growing dusk; while the camera in the flat remains static, like another piece of furniture.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

During the day, Mr. Kurniawan's civets slept inside their small wooden cages before growing active at dusk.

The New York Times

His mother, who was a home dressmaker, worked there all day She sometimes grew sad around dusk but the feeling passed.

The New Yorker

If a bipolar person had a genetic tendency towards circadian phase delay, in the Spring as the days grow longer and dusk occurs later in the evening, the EYA3 peak might rise later in the day, while an early dawn might mask (suppress) melatonin and thus disinhibit the EYA3 peak.

F1000Research

The place is open to the public when there are gardeners present, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and 6 p.m. until dusk during the growing seasons.

The New York Times

Breaking a half-dozen tackles as if he were made of soap, Lynch stomped out the growing gloom that accompanied the impending dusk as the Saints seemed positioned for a comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

The sun danced with the horizon and the trees grew long in the dusk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing dusk" to evoke a sense of gradual transition and subtle atmosphere, particularly in descriptive or narrative contexts. Consider the emotional tone you want to convey; the phrase often carries a hint of melancholy or mystery.

Common error

Avoid using "growing dusk" to describe an immediate or abrupt shift to darkness. The term implies a slow, almost imperceptible transition. Use alternatives like "sudden darkness" or "nightfall" for quicker transitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing dusk" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to set a scene or mood. Ludwig confirms this is a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing dusk" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe the gradual transition from daylight to darkness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable phrase often found in descriptive writing. While its frequency is relatively rare, its purpose is clear: to create a sense of atmosphere and subtle change. When using "growing dusk", consider the emotional tone and pace you wish to convey, as this phrase works best when emphasizing a slow, gentle shift. Related phrases like "deepening twilight" or "gathering darkness" can provide alternative nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creeping dusk

Emphasizes the slow, subtle nature of the dusk's arrival, adding a sense of stealth.

deepening twilight

Highlights the intensification of twilight, focusing on the increasing darkness.

advancing twilight

This alternative emphasizes a forward progression of twilight.

gathering darkness

Stresses the accumulation of darkness, rather than the gradual process of change.

encroaching nightfall

Highlights the way nightfall gradually invades or intrudes.

approaching twilight

Emphasizes the nearing of twilight, shifting the focus from the process to the impending state.

fading daylight

Focuses on the diminishing light, emphasizing the loss of daytime brightness.

falling evening

Focuses on the evening as a whole settling down.

waning light

Highlights the decreasing intensity of light, implying a gentle fading.

descending night

Emphasizes the arrival of night, presenting a more complete transition than twilight.

FAQs

How can I use "growing dusk" in a sentence?

You can use "growing dusk" to describe a scene where daylight is gradually fading into twilight, such as, "The children played until the "growing dusk" called them home."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "growing dusk"?

Similar phrases include "approaching twilight", "deepening twilight", or "gathering darkness", each carrying a slightly different nuance of the transition from day to night.

Is "growing dusk" a formal or informal expression?

"Growing dusk" is a fairly neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly toward literary or descriptive writing rather than technical or scientific usage.

Can "growing dusk" be used to describe something other than the time of day?

While primarily used to describe the transition from day to night, "growing dusk" could metaphorically describe a gradual decline or fading of something else, such as a "growing dusk" of an era or relationship, suggesting a slow and gentle end.