it was darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was darkness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or setting where there is a lack of light or clarity, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "As the storm approached, it was darkness that enveloped the landscape, making it impossible to see anything beyond a few feet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was darkness at noon.

BBC

"It was darkness darkness darkness, then snap.

Los Angeles Times

I cannot recall," remarked Lieutenant Thomas Livermore of the 5th New Hampshire Infantry, "I know simply that it was darkness and toil, until we began climbing a hill and were greeted with advancing dawn".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

His writing can entertain but it is darkness that draws him in.

The Guardian

And you think it's darkness, then you're trying to position this darkness, then maybe it's not so dark, then there are the memories of dark".

The New Yorker

As we emerge from this adjacent inn, it is darkness all around, save for lampposts peering over the square.

Independent

It may not be good for much, but Pudsey the Dog: The Movie marks the point at which Cowell's hegemony over all things mass-media abruptly halts; past this beetling shoreline, it's darkness, chaos and dragons.

The Guardian - Film

I think anyone who thinks that it's darkness for darkness's sake is a wrong interpretation.

Huffington Post

It is darkness and the work continues in the sightlessness, with beasts and hackings.

Vice

This I suppose is the nub of The Chasers, and the nub of The Chase itself: that it is darkness struck through a thousand times with light.

Vice

Sure, it might be darkness that kickstarts the record, but as Llorena herself puts it peoples' faces "light up, and they're transported back to where they were".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was darkness" to set a scene or mood, especially when emphasizing the absence of light or the presence of something ominous. It's often effective at the beginning of a sentence to immediately establish the atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "it was darkness" repeatedly in close succession. Instead, vary your descriptions with sensory details (sounds, smells) to create a more immersive experience for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was darkness" functions as a declarative statement introducing a state of being, specifically the absence of light. As shown by Ludwig, it's often used to establish a scene's setting or mood, indicating a literal or metaphorical lack of illumination.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was darkness" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of lacking light, either literally or metaphorically. According to Ludwig AI, its most frequent usage is in news and media contexts. While correct, it's best to use it sparingly and consider more descriptive alternatives to avoid monotony. Remember to use this phrase to create an atmosphere, but vary your descriptions to enhance the reader's experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was pitch black

Emphasizes the completeness of the darkness. Replaces darkness with a more vivid adjective.

it was completely dark

Uses an adverb to intensify the degree of darkness. Replaces 'darkness' with adjective 'dark'.

darkness prevailed

Shifts focus to the dominance of darkness. Uses a different verb and structure.

night had fallen

Indicates the arrival of darkness due to the setting sun. Uses temporal expression.

it was nighttime

States the time of day. Indicates darkness due to time.

the shadows deepened

Focuses on the increasing intensity of shadows as darkness arrives. It emphasizes a process.

a pall of gloom descended

Introduces a metaphorical sense of darkness and despair. More dramatic and figurative.

the world faded into black

Depicts a gradual loss of visibility. More poetic and evocative.

visibility was zero

Focuses on the measurable lack of sight. Direct and practical.

all was obscurity

Shifts to a more abstract description of the scene. Emphasizes the lack of clarity.

FAQs

What does "it was darkness" imply in literature?

Beyond the literal absence of light, "it was darkness" often symbolizes ignorance, despair, evil, or the unknown. The phrase's impact relies on the surrounding context.

How can I use "it was darkness" in a sentence?

You can use "it was darkness" to describe a physical setting, as in "it was pitch black", or a metaphorical situation, such as "it was a time of darkness for the country".

Are there more evocative alternatives to "it was darkness"?

Yes, phrases like "night had fallen", "the shadows deepened", or "a pall of gloom descended" can add more color and imagery to your writing, depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "it was darkness" a cliché?

While not inherently a cliché, overuse can diminish its impact. Use it judiciously and consider alternatives to avoid predictability.