What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shade
Example
Let's sit in the shade to avoid the sun. [shade: noun]
Example
The artist used different shades of blue to create the painting. [shades: plural noun]
darkness
Example
The room was filled with darkness after the power outage. [darkness: noun]
Example
She was afraid of the darkness and always slept with a nightlight. [darkness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Darkness is more commonly used than shade in everyday language. Darkness is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while shade is more specific and less commonly used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shade and darkness?
Both shade and darkness are versatile words that can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, shade may be more appropriate in formal writing that requires precise descriptions of physical surroundings, while darkness may be more appropriate in informal writing that requires descriptions of emotions or abstract concepts.
