onset of darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

"onset of darkness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe when nightfall begins, or when an area is becoming dark. For example: "The onset of darkness made it difficult to see the path ahead of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Arabidopsis plants grown in 12-hr light/12-hr dark were subjected to onset of darkness at 12 hr, followed by an unexpected period of light, followed by extended darkness.

eLife

In the ML condition (illumination with moderate hight light throughout the 16 h light period), RedCAP and LHCF2 transcripts were down-regulated compared to the transcript level at the onset of darkness, independent of the light or dark phase.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Such memories and ephemera begot "It Got Dark," which evokes the sudden onset of darkness after a day spent outdoors.

Los Angeles Times

Interestingly, an earlier qualitative study of the chicken retina reports extensive invaginations within the rod spherule that are greatest an hour after the onset of darkness and their disappearance after three hours in the dark [100].

Plosone

The subsequent interval of darkness results in a dark rise (DR) at 30 40 s following the onset of darkness.

Documenta Ophthalmologica

Being a blind school, we were simply less concerned about the onset of darkness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The onset of darkness and dropping temperatures... will result in snow statewide," he says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Following 2 days in 12L:12D, the rats were maintained in constant darkness and either exposed to a single 15 minute, 300 lux light pulse 4 or 10 hours after the onset of subjective darkness (2300h or 0500h respectively).

Plosone

NEW YORK — Karyn Anastasio would have preferred staying in bed, ignoring the early onset of cold and darkness as she huddled in her apartment and watched TV.

Los Angeles Times

With the onset of the dark period, cells were either kept in the same condition (LL) or transferred to continuous darkness (D) or moderate hight light (ML) for one regular 16 h illumination period.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Both the control and operated rats were entrained prior to release in constant darkness since the onset of free-running activity extrapolated back to the first day in darkness started to derive from the previous onset point.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "onset of darkness" when you want to specifically emphasize the beginning or start of a period of darkness, especially in scientific or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "onset of darkness" when you actually mean the entire period of darkness. "Onset" refers to the beginning, not the length of the dark period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onset of darkness" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the commencement or beginning of a period of darkness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "onset of darkness" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote the beginning of a period of darkness, particularly in scientific and descriptive contexts. The phrase carries a neutral to formal register and is most commonly found in scientific publications and news media, as exemplified by sources like PlosOne, eLife, and The Guardian. While alternatives like "nightfall" and "dusk" exist, "onset of darkness" is particularly useful when emphasizing the commencement of darkness or marking a transition from light to dark.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning of night

Focuses on the start of the nighttime period, emphasizing the time aspect rather than the degree of darkness.

dusk

Refers to the period of twilight at the beginning of the night, implying a gradual transition to darkness.

nightfall

Highlights the arrival of night, often used in a more literary or descriptive context.

sundown

Specifically refers to the moment the sun disappears below the horizon, initiating darkness.

twilight's arrival

Emphasizes the coming of twilight, the period between daylight and darkness.

close of day

A more poetic expression for the end of daylight and the approach of darkness.

evening's commencement

Highlights the start of the evening, which leads into the full darkness of night.

darkening

Implies a gradual process of becoming dark, rather than a specific moment of onset.

coming of night

Emphasizes the approaching nature of night and the increasing darkness.

lights out

Informal way of referring to the start of a period of darkness, typically in a domestic or institutional setting.

FAQs

How can I use "onset of darkness" in a sentence?

You can use "onset of darkness" to describe the start of night or a period when light diminishes, such as, "The search was complicated by the "onset of darkness"."

What is a more descriptive alternative to "onset of darkness"?

Depending on the context, you could use "nightfall", "dusk", or "twilight" to provide a more evocative description of the beginning of darkness.

Is "onset of darkness" formal or informal?

"Onset of darkness" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for scientific writing, news reports, and descriptive prose. It is not typically used in very informal conversation.

What factors influence the timing of the "onset of darkness"?

The timing of the "onset of darkness" is primarily determined by the Earth's rotation and its position relative to the sun, but can also be influenced by atmospheric conditions and geographical location.