intense darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

"intense darkness" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a very deep or profound lack of light, often evoking a strong emotional or atmospheric effect. Example: "As the storm approached, an intense darkness enveloped the landscape." Alternative expressions include "deep darkness" and "profound darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

His work can veer from intense darkness to laugh-out-loud humor, especially "Bengal Tiger".

The New York Times

The parents sit on the patio contemplating the starry sky, the intense darkness.

The New Yorker

He called Mr. Mubarak's tenure "30 years of intense darkness — black, black, black, the blackness of a chilly winter night".

The New York Times

On "Passione di Napoli," he delivers some with intense darkness, as if they were opera arias, in an exultation of sound.

The New York Times - Arts

In tenebrist paintings, the figures are often portrayed against a background of intense darkness, but the figures themselves are illuminated by a bright, searching light that sets off their three-dimensional forms by a harsh but exquisitely controlled chiaroscuro.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On those rare occasions when the whole of the Sun is obscured, the sudden occurrence of intense darkness, accompanied by a pronounced fall in temperature, may leave a profound impression on eyewitnesses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The very linguistic landscape of "Constance" is one of intense, silty darkness.

The New York Times - Books

As you might expect from an author with impaired eyesight, the visual sense predominates: colours are intense, light and darkness vividly described.

The Guardian - Books

But his brooding is eminently Romantic in mood, conveying a sense of a secret pleasure taken in the deliberately intense expression of darkness.

The New York Times - Arts

Such visual wonders as the amazing shadow-play of the two robbers' silhouettes against a wall, the gleam of an officer's six-pointed star in a doorway's darkness, intense closeups featuring a moving camera and an iris-in, and a series of remarkably modern deep-focus shots all contribute psychological depth to a comedic sketch of novelistic scope.

The New Yorker

He continues: "The dynamic of the movie is in this show: that intense evil and darkness, brought to a comical extreme, mixed with the world of these innocent people who literally cannot get their minds round the possibility of the evil that is around them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intense darkness" when you want to evoke a strong sense of foreboding, mystery, or the absence of hope. It's especially effective in descriptive writing to create a vivid image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "intense darkness" when a simpler description like "it was dark" suffices. Reserve it for situations where the darkness significantly contributes to the mood or plot.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense darkness" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "intense" modifies the noun "darkness". The word "intense" amplifies the degree or quality of the darkness. Ludwig indicates this is a standard and acceptable construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intense darkness" is a grammatically sound and descriptively potent expression used to depict a profound lack of light. As Ludwig confirms, it is valid and usable in a variety of writing scenarios. It is most frequently found in journalistic and media contexts, as well as scientific and encyclopedic entries. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to evoke a strong sensory experience, signifying not merely the absence of light, but a darkness that is palpable and often imbued with emotional or symbolic weight. While "intense darkness" is relatively uncommon, using alternatives such as "profound darkness" or "utter darkness" can provide similar evocative descriptions while avoiding overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound darkness

Replaces "intense" with "profound" to emphasize depth and significance of darkness.

deep darkness

Substitutes "intense" with "deep" to highlight the extent and depth of the darkness.

extreme darkness

Uses "extreme" instead of "intense" to underscore the exceptional degree of darkness.

utter darkness

Replaces "intense" with "utter" to convey a sense of completeness and totality in the darkness.

thick darkness

Changes "intense" to "thick" to focus on the density and impenetrability of the darkness.

intense gloom

Replaces "darkness" with "gloom" to slightly shift the context towards a more melancholic or somber atmosphere.

complete blackness

Uses "complete blackness" to describe the scene

unrelenting darkness

Emphasizes the continuous and persistent nature of the darkness.

impenetrable darkness

Highlights the inability to see through or escape the darkness.

oppressive darkness

Adds a sense of weight or burden to the darkness, suggesting it feels heavy or suffocating.

FAQs

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

You can use "intense darkness" to describe a physical environment lacking light, such as "The forest was shrouded in "intense darkness"", or metaphorically, like "The project was mired in an "intense darkness" of uncertainty".

What are some alternatives to "intense darkness"?

Alternatives include "profound darkness", "deep darkness", or "utter darkness", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "intense darkness" and "complete darkness"?

"Intense darkness" suggests not only the absence of light but also a palpable, almost overwhelming quality to the darkness. "Complete darkness", on the other hand, simply indicates a total lack of light.

Can "intense darkness" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "intense darkness" can be used metaphorically to describe situations or feelings characterized by a profound lack of understanding, hope, or clarity. For example, you might say a period of political turmoil was an ""intense darkness"" for the nation.