quite dark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite dark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is fairly dark, usually in comparison to something else. For example: "The room was quite dark compared to the hallway outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was not quite dark.

The New Yorker

"That's quite dark," frowns Jupp.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's quite dark in here.

The Guardian - Arts

It was quite dark now.

The New Yorker

The mixture should be quite dark.

The New York Times

Quite dark, a lot of it.

The Guardian

It's quite dark; heavy and emotional.

The Guardian - Music

It's quite dark, but funny also.

The Guardian

She's very witty, and quite dark.

The Guardian

"Fairytales can be quite dark," said Gray.

The Guardian - Film

"So Saturday is red, pencil-red, quite dark," he says.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite dark" to describe shades or environments, but consider stronger adjectives like 'gloomy' or 'dim' for more vivid imagery.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "quite dark" for varied descriptions. Expand your vocabulary with more nuanced terms to enrich your writing and provide clearer context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite dark" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its level of darkness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite dark" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase employed to describe a moderate level of darkness. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and versatility, highlighting its appearance across diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and general articles. While it effectively communicates a notable degree of darkness, writers should consider using more descriptive alternatives to avoid repetition and enrich their prose. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both informal and formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather dark

Replaces "quite" with "rather", a synonym indicating a similar degree of darkness.

somewhat dark

Uses "somewhat" instead of "quite" to suggest a slightly lesser degree of darkness.

fairly dark

Substitutes "quite" with "fairly", conveying an equivalent level of darkness.

moderately dark

Employs "moderately" to express a balanced degree of darkness, similar to "quite".

pretty dark

Replaces "quite" with "pretty", an informal synonym indicating a noticeable level of darkness.

noticeably dark

Highlights that the darkness is easily observed, providing a more descriptive alternative.

distinctly dark

Indicates a clear and definite sense of darkness, offering a stronger emphasis.

considerably dark

Suggests a significant level of darkness, implying a greater degree than "quite".

relatively dark

Presents the darkness in comparison to something else, adding context to the description.

slightly dark

Indicates a minor degree of darkness, suggesting a lesser intensity than "quite dark".

FAQs

How can I use "quite dark" in a sentence?

You can use "quite dark" to describe the level of darkness in a place or object. For example: "The room was "quite dark" even with the lights on", or "The paint was a "quite dark" shade of blue".

What are some alternatives to "quite dark"?

Alternatives to "quite dark" include "rather dark", "somewhat dark", or "fairly dark". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "quite dark" or should I use "very dark"?

"Quite dark" is correct, but it implies a lesser degree of darkness than "very dark". "Very dark" suggests a higher intensity of darkness compared to "quite dark".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "quite dark"?

"Quite dark" is appropriate in various contexts, from describing the lighting in a room to the color of an object or even the tone of a story. It's a versatile phrase that fits well in both casual and more formal writing.