that dark night

USAGE SUMMARY

"that dark night" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a specific night that was particularly dark, often in a narrative or poetic context. For example, "I will never forget that dark night when the storm hit." Alternative expressions include "that gloomy night" and "that shadowy night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This player contends that Lewis's on-field instincts may have taken over when he saw his two friends get into a fight that dark night.

The New York Times - Sports

The body is recovered but to fully heal the heart and mind Cooper may need to revisit the WC semi-final and relive that dark night of the soul in full detail to discover the true keys for unlocking his immense talent and potential.

The Guardian - Sport

In the Garden that dark night, Jesus had simply asked Peter, James and John to stay here and watch with Him, but they did not.

Huffington Post

But go gently into that dark night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I know my silence is part of what that dark night brought" says one actor.

Independent

Every hour since that dark night was a quest for retribution.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We called all the family around him," she said, remembering that dark evening.

The New York Times

But it also ends with an intense Shakespearean feeling that, after the dark night of the soul, comes the overpowering human need for renewal.

The Guardian

It was our first taste of the idea of a replica: the tiny paper boat tossed this way and that in the dark night of the mouth, lashed by a giant tongue.

The New Yorker

This second sentence, annunciates that even through the dark night of battle the flag was still there, lit up by the light of exploding rockets and bombs.

Huffington Post

The eyes that peered into the dark night sky should be as concerned with what they were looking for as they were with how and why they were looking because as the universe gave up its secrets there was always the cost of the knowledge obtained.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that dark night" to create a sense of mystery or foreboding in your writing. The phrase evokes a specific, memorable night.

Common error

Avoid using "that dark night" in contexts that are already intensely dramatic or cliché. Subtler language can often be more effective in conveying a sense of unease or tension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that dark night" functions as a noun phrase, where 'that' is a determiner specifying a particular night, 'dark' is an adjective modifying the noun 'night'. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that dark night" serves as a versatile noun phrase used to evoke a specific instance characterized by darkness, often implying mystery or foreboding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various writing contexts. Predominantly featured in news and media, with some use in formal business settings, the phrase is less common in scientific or encyclopedic contexts. While appropriate for many narrative settings, overuse in already dramatic contexts should be avoided. Alternative expressions include "that pitch-black night" or "that moonless night" depending on the nuanced meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that black night

Synonymous, simply replacing 'dark' with 'black'.

that lightless night

Similar to 'unlit', but focuses on the absence of light in general.

that pitch-black night

Emphasizes the complete absence of light, heightening the darkness.

that inky night

Uses 'inky' as a metaphor for the deep darkness of the night.

that unlit night

Directly states that there were no artificial lights present.

that moonless night

Specifies the absence of the moon as the cause of the darkness.

that starless night

Highlights the absence of stars contributing to the darkness.

that obscure night

Focuses on the lack of clarity and visibility during the night.

that shadowed night

Emphasizes the presence of shadows due to the darkness.

that dismal night

Shifts focus to the unpleasant and gloomy atmosphere of the night.

FAQs

How can I use "that dark night" in a sentence?

You can use "that dark night" to set a scene, often one involving mystery, suspense, or negative events. For example: "I'll never forget "that dark night" when the storm hit" or "That dark night changed everything."

What are some alternatives to "that dark night"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "that pitch-black night", "that moonless night", or "that inky night" to describe a night with little to no light.

Is it appropriate to use "that dark night" in formal writing?

While "that dark night" is grammatically correct, it may be more suitable for narrative or descriptive writing rather than formal academic or business contexts. Consider the tone and audience when choosing your words.

What connotations does "that dark night" carry?

"That dark night" often suggests negative connotations such as danger, mystery, or sadness. It's frequently used to foreshadow or emphasize a significant event.