in complete darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in complete darkness" is correctly written and can be used in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate a state of utter blackness, either figuratively or literally. For example, one might say "He ventured into the cave, in complete darkness, never knowing what he might find."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is all happening in complete darkness.

The Guardian - Tech

An infrared mode allows parents to watch even if the baby is in complete darkness.

The New York Times - Tech

We ran out of the tent in complete darkness, following his voice to the foxholes.

The New York Times

"When I was in complete darkness, that was the time to do it".

The New Yorker

The superhuman surgeon can perform complex surgical operations from memory in complete darkness, for example.

The Guardian

Mr. Rojas-Castro was kept in complete darkness for four days, wearing only his underwear.

The New York Times

The show admits no one younger than 7; the last 10 minutes unfold in complete darkness.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's in complete darkness and not really at all visible to anyone," she said.

The New York Times

The rest of the mission will be done in complete darkness.

Independent

But previous attempts could work only in complete darkness, making them impractical for general use.

The Economist

The filmmakers also discovered tubeworms and other organisms that live in complete darkness, without energy from the sun.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a setting, use "in complete darkness" to vividly convey the absence of light and enhance the reader's sensory experience.

Common error

Avoid using "in complete darkness" when you mean someone is uninformed or unaware. Use phrases like "in the dark" or "unaware" instead to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete darkness" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb, describing the condition or environment in which an action takes place. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in complete darkness" effectively conveys the absence of light, serving as a descriptive adverbial phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in Science and News & Media. While it is semantically very similar to other expressions such as "in total darkness", it's crucial to differentiate its figurative usage from literal contexts. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can leverage the phrase to create vivid and accurate descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total darkness

Emphasis on the utter lack of light.

in pitch darkness

Highlights the intensity of the darkness, suggesting it is extremely dark.

in absolute darkness

Stresses the completeness of the darkness, leaving no room for light.

without illumination

Focuses on the lack of artificial or natural light sources.

in deep shadow

Focuses on areas where light is significantly reduced, but not necessarily absent.

unilluminated

Adjective describing something not lit.

in the dark

More general term for lack of light, can also mean uninformed.

in shadows

Similar to "in deep shadow", suggesting partial darkness.

in gloom

Implies a dark or depressing atmosphere due to the lack of light.

in dim light

Indicates a low level of illumination, less intense than complete darkness.

FAQs

What does "in complete darkness" mean?

The phrase "in complete darkness" refers to a total absence of light, a state of being entirely unilluminated.

What can I say instead of "in complete darkness"?

You can use alternatives like "in total darkness", "in pitch darkness", or "in absolute darkness" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in complete darkness"?

Yes, "in complete darkness" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both written and spoken English.

How can I use "in complete darkness" in a sentence?

You can use "in complete darkness" to describe settings or conditions where there is no light. For example, "The experiment was conducted "in complete darkness" to avoid any light interference."