it gets dark

USAGE SUMMARY

'it gets dark' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe the time of day or to describe a darkening atmosphere in a story. Example sentence: "The sun was beginning to set and it got dark quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Build a Campfire as soon as it gets dark, and stay within its range.

WikiHow

It gets dark and begins to rain.

The New Yorker

It gets dark early these winter days.

The New York Times

It gets cold and it gets dark.

The Guardian - Travel

No. Except when it gets dark.

The Guardian

"At least till it gets dark".

The New York Times

"People can come to the festival before it gets dark".

The New York Times

At the end of the day … it gets dark outside.

The New York Times

By the Time It Gets Dark: 'an ode to cinema'.

The Guardian - Film

Watch a trailer for By the Time It Gets Dark.

The Guardian - Film

"We'll see what happens when it gets dark".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it gets dark" to describe a time-sensitive event, such as planning activities or setting expectations (e.g., "Let's finish this before it gets dark.").

Common error

Avoid using "it gets dark" repeatedly in descriptive passages. Opt for more vivid imagery like "shadows lengthened" or "twilight descended" to enhance the reader's experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it gets dark" functions as an intransitive clause, indicating a change of state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The subject "it" refers to the general environment, and "gets dark" serves as the predicate, describing the transition to darkness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Travel

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Arts

2%

Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it gets dark" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the transition from daylight to darkness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread application. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its common occurrence in news and media, wiki sources, and travel writing. To enhance writing, it's advisable to employ vivid imagery alongside this expression, especially in descriptive passages. While versatile, "it gets dark" functions primarily to inform and describe, making it suitable for both informal and slightly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it becomes night

A more direct and literal way of saying that night is beginning.

darkness falls

Emphasizes the action of darkness arriving.

daylight fades

Highlights the gradual loss of light during the transition to darkness.

night descends

More literary and evocative, referring to the arrival of night.

evening arrives

Refers to the beginning of the evening period, often associated with darkness.

dusk settles

Focuses on the calm and gradual transition to darkness.

twilight arrives

Focuses on the period of fading light before complete darkness.

the light diminishes

Emphasizes the reduction of light intensity.

the sun sets

Describes the specific astronomical event that leads to darkness.

shadows lengthen

Describes a visual effect associated with the approach of darkness.

FAQs

How can I use "it gets dark" in a sentence?

You can use "it gets dark" to describe the transition from daylight to nighttime, as in "it gets dark early in the winter" or "it gets dark quickly after sunset".

What are some alternatives to "it gets dark"?

Some alternatives include "night falls", "darkness descends", or "the sun sets", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it got dark" instead of "it gets dark"?

Yes, "it got dark" is the past tense of "it gets dark" and is used to describe a situation where darkness has already arrived. "It gets dark" is used to describe a recurring event or a future expectation.

What's the difference between "it gets dark" and "it is dark"?

"It gets dark" describes the process of becoming dark, while "it is dark" describes the state of being dark. For example, "it gets dark around 6pm" refers to the time when darkness begins, while "it is dark outside" means that it's currently nighttime.