much darker than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much darker than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the darkness of two or more things, typically in terms of color or mood. Example: "The sky was much darker than it had been earlier in the evening, signaling an approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was much darker than her grandson.

The New Yorker

It's much, much darker than that.

The Guardian - Music

"They're much darker than I would have picked," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Old master black is much darker than contemporary black".

The New York Times - Arts

His debut was much darker than his recent crossover hits.

The Guardian - Music

This is a tough shot, because the arcade ceiling is much darker than the courtyard beyond.

Stanford University

Dialogue doesn't get much darker than that, but it emerged naturally from Mr. Shannon.

The New York Times

The McConaughey that we are getting now is casually weird and much darker than expected.

The New Yorker

But the project, and the day, turn much darker than expected.

The New York Times

Scandinavian crime novels don't get much darker than Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q police procedurals.

The New York Times - Books

Ocean water is much darker than ice, so it absorbs more energy from the sun.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much darker than", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the items being compared are explicitly stated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the description.

Common error

Avoid using "much darker than" in contexts where 'darker' is used metaphorically without a clear basis for comparison. For instance, instead of saying 'The future is much darker than we thought' (vague), specify 'The economic outlook is "much darker than" projected last quarter' (specific).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much darker than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun by describing it as having a greater degree of darkness in relation to another noun. This phrase enhances the descriptive quality of the language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "much darker than" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant difference in darkness between two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific writing where clear descriptions are crucial. When employing this phrase, ensure that the comparison is explicit to avoid vagueness and maximize clarity. While alternatives like "significantly darker than" exist, ""much darker than"" provides a versatile option for emphasizing contrast in both literal and metaphorical senses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly darker than

Emphasizes a considerable degree of difference in darkness.

considerably darker than

Highlights a noticeable and substantial difference in darkness.

noticeably darker than

Focuses on the ease with which the difference in darkness can be observed.

appreciably darker than

Stresses a difference in darkness that is easily recognized or estimated.

markedly darker than

Indicates that the darkness level is distinctly different.

substantially darker than

Conveys a major difference in darkness.

distinctly darker than

Implies a clear and unmistakable difference in darkness.

visibly darker than

Underlines that the difference in darkness can be seen without difficulty.

palpably darker than

Suggests that the difference in darkness is obvious and almost tangible.

measurably darker than

Indicates that the difference in darkness can be quantified or assessed.

FAQs

How can I use "much darker than" in a sentence?

Use "much darker than" to compare the relative darkness of two subjects. For instance, "The coffee was "much darker than" I usually prefer", or "Her mood was "much darker than" usual after the bad news".

What are some alternatives to "much darker than"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly darker than", "considerably darker than", or "noticeably darker than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a lot darker than" instead of "much darker than"?

Yes, "a lot darker than" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "much darker than". The choice between them often depends on the desired level of formality or emphasis. "Significantly darker than" is the more formal option.

What is the difference between "darker than" and "much darker than"?

"Darker than" simply indicates that one thing is less light than another, while ""much darker than"" implies a greater degree of difference in darkness. The addition of "much" emphasizes the extent of the contrast.