sky turned dark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sky turned dark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a change in the sky's appearance, often indicating an impending storm or nightfall. Example: "As the storm approached, the sky turned dark, casting an eerie shadow over the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The sky turned dark as if a thunderstorm was coming, although it was a cloudless day.

The New York Times

Our two teams headed out to survey as the sky turned dark gray.

The New York Times

"I smelled something bad and the sky turned dark," she said.

The New York Times

As the day progressed, the sky turned dark and threatened rain.

The Guardian

The sky turned dark at about 2 p.m., and rain began to fall on the revelers in the infield.

The New York Times

"It came from nowhere, the sky turned dark, hail started falling and then, within 10 minutes, it was gone," said a resident, Perrin Sledge.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In less than a half-hour, buildings are destroyed, thousands are killed, the sky turns dark with dust.

The New York Times - Books

The sky turns dark blue in the heat of the day, and a rather Pyrrhic fig tree offers a little shade.

The Guardian - Travel

On any given Saturday, brunch enthusiasts can be found dancing on tables, throwing back tequila shots and racking up four- and five-figure tabs well before the sky turns dark.

The New York Times

And see a little boy's tiny hand Drag his finger through your bronzed wet sand And write his name, as so many do The secret's that the writer's you Etched your name on his big little heart Of which you'll always be a part The Boss sings as the sky turns dark Of your amusement park rising bold and stark Jersey, I want you to rise bold and stark Like before Sandy broke your big little heart.

Huffington Post

As Brian Williams stepped up to the podium to deliver the commencement speech, the skies turned dark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sky turned dark" to create a sense of foreboding or to signal a change in time or weather. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sky turned dark" too frequently in dialogue. It's generally better suited for narration and descriptive passages than direct speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sky turned dark" functions primarily as a descriptive clause, providing information about the state of the sky. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is used to set a scene or create atmosphere.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Travel

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sky turned dark" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, which functions as a descriptive clause that provides information or sets a scene. It's often used to signal a change in environment or mood, such as an approaching storm or nightfall. While the expression is versatile, it's best suited for descriptive passages rather than dialogue. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase. Alternatives include "sky darkened" and "sky grew dark", though the choice depends on stylistic preference. Overall, "sky turned dark" is a neutral expression appropriate for various contexts, offering writers a means to effectively convey a sense of foreboding or transformation in their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sky darkened

This alternative is more concise, replacing the two-word verb "turned dark" with the single word "darkened".

sky became dark

This alternative replaces "turned" with "became", offering a slightly more formal tone.

sky grew dark

This alternative uses "grew" instead of "turned", implying a gradual change.

heavens turned dark

This alternative is slightly more poetic and uses "heavens" instead of "sky".

the light faded

This alternative focuses on the reduction of light, implying the sky is darkening.

twilight descended

This alternative suggests the onset of twilight, a time when the sky darkens.

daylight waned

This alternative refers to the diminishing of daylight, leading to darkness.

night fell

This alternative describes the complete arrival of night, implying the sky has darkened fully.

the sun dipped below the horizon

This alternative explains one of the reasons why sky turn dark, and it's more verbose.

dusk approached

This alternative indicates the imminent arrival of dusk, when the sky begins to darken.

FAQs

What does it mean when the sky "sky turned dark"?

When the "sky turned dark", it typically suggests the approach of night, a storm, or some other event causing a decrease in light. It's often used to create a sense of atmosphere or foreshadowing.

Which is a more common phrase, "sky turned dark" or "sky grew dark"?

Both phrases are valid, but "sky turned dark" and "sky grew dark" are more frequently encountered in writing. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What can I say instead of "sky turned dark"?

You can use alternatives like "sky darkened", "sky became dark", or "night fell" depending on the context.

Is "sky turned dark" a formal or informal expression?

"Sky turned dark" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more poetic alternatives like "twilight descended" might be preferred in more literary or descriptive writing.