TextRanch
The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

TextRanch Editors

it began to get dark vs it was beginning to get dark

Both phrases are correct. However, they differ a bit in terms of tense and emphasis. 'It began to get dark' is in the simple past tense and indicates a specific point in time when darkness started to set in. 'It was beginning to get dark' is in the past continuous tense and suggests a more gradual process of darkness falling. The choice between the two phrases depends on the context and the specific nuance the speaker would like to convey.
Miss E. profile picture

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: January 19, 2025 • 7312 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"it began to get dark"

This phrase is used to indicate the moment when darkness started to set in. It is in the simple past tense.

Examples:

  • As we walked through the forest, it began to get dark.
  • After the sun set, it began to get dark quickly.
  • It began to get dark earlier than usual that evening.
  • Oct 1, 2024 ... I didn't even give them a clear time to come back to the room, simply that they should make their way back when it began to get dark. When ...
  • Aug 24, 2023 ... We stumbled along until it began to get dark. We should have reached Timberline Lodge hours earlier. We were lost. I was the only one who ...
  • Nov 27, 2018 ... It began to get dark, and my window of time for a Target run was closing, so I was hurriedly packing up the gear necessary to get an infant ...
  • Oct 15, 2023 ... It began to get dark out, and I seemed to get hotter by the minute. It felt like I was melting. We heard over the loudspeaker that our train ...
  • When it began to get dark, hyaenas appeared all around and he descended the tree and began an extended face off! It was clear how he felt about the ...
  • Jul 11, 2021 ... When it began to get dark, I decided to take the box down, as it was getting cold and the parents did not seem to be returning, and there ...
  • Oct 19, 2019 ... It began to get dark. Not dark dark, but the dark of the woods before sun set. I kept thinking about the weird vibe dude and those tunnels ...
  • As we continued walking in silence,it began to get dark. It was going to be a cold & windy night.Finally Ratty began,"The thing that gets me is that Wally ...
  • The snow was quite deep that winter and the daylight was short. We stayed longer than we had planned, and it began to get dark before we finished making our ...
  • It soon became clear that the best time to watch films outdoors was during the evening when the sun went down and it began to get dark. As an added bonus ...

Alternatives:

  • it started to get dark
  • darkness began to fall
  • nightfall began
  • the light faded
  • dusk approached

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"it was beginning to get dark"

This phrase is used to describe a gradual process of darkness falling. It is in the past continuous tense.

Examples:

  • As we sat outside, it was beginning to get dark.
  • At that time of year, it was beginning to get dark by 4 p.m.
  • The room was dimly lit as it was beginning to get dark outside.
  • Oct 10, 2014 ... Since it was beginning to get dark I couldn't immediately put my finger on what the difference was but I had that uneasy feeling that I ...
  • Nov 15, 2021 ... There was no way for me to contact the motherboard for help and it was beginning to get dark out. So, I decided to come up with a plan to ...
  • Jan 4, 2009 ... ... it was beginning to get dark. It took me 15 minutes to get back down to the feeding mantas and I was worried that I had missed my chance to ...
  • Jun 27, 2023 ... Tonight, he was out on the chair as it was beginning to get dark. Long after the other birds left for the day. I keep telling him that his ...
  • Oct 3, 2019 ... Photo by Callie Broaddus. It was beginning to get dark when we left the release site and we knew we still had work to ...
  • It was beginning to get dark, and the siblings were still not home yet, making them worry about their dad's reaction. They struggled to ride their bikes uphill.
  • Apr 19, 2020 ... ... it was beginning to get dark again…” That evening, John tells us, there were disciples gathered together in a room. John uses the word ...
  • When I got to the village square it was beginning to get dark. The candles were lit, and several statues of the Gods stood at the entrance of the square. I ...
  • Anyway I really liked these last couple of looks that we got after the sun had actually set and it was beginning to get dark outside. All of the sudden, a ...
  • Oct 4, 2017 ... The Bigfoot 120 had started a few hours ago, and it was beginning to get dark. Lead runners would be approaching the Lewis River Aid Station ...

Alternatives:

  • it was starting to get dark
  • darkness was setting in
  • nightfall was approaching
  • the light was fading
  • dusk was descending

Related Comparisons

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

  • Emails and short texts
  • Proofreading & editing
  • Ready in 5-10 minutes
SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

  • Documents of any type (*.docx)
  • Advanced & Premium editing
  • Ready in as little as 4 hours
UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

  • Personalized answers to your language questions
  • Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
  • Ready in 24 hours
ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Powered By Humans

TextRanch Editors

AI is a great tool, but when it comes to perfecting your writing, we rely on real human editors.

  • All our editors are native English speakers.
  • Each editor has passed a rigorous admission test to ensure quality.
  • Our global team is ready to correct any text, anytime.

MEET OUR EDITORS

TextRanch Editors

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

People Feedback 4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Profile picture of Zubair from Bangladesh

Zubair
from Bangladesh From

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Profile picture of Arturo from Mexico

Arturo
from Mexico From

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Profile picture of Selena from USA

Selena
from USA From

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Profile picture of Ifiok from Nigeria

Ifiok
from Nigeria From

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Profile picture of Wilson from France

Wilson
from France From

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Profile picture of Susan from Germany

Susan
from Germany From

Trusted by Hundreds Teams

Facebook logo
Accenture logo
Air Asia logo
AirBus logo
Amazon logo
Bayer logo
Decathlon logo
Docusign logo
Ebay logo
Fiverr logo
Fossil logo
Keller Williams logo
LinkedIn logo
Loreal logo
Motorola logo
Orange logo
Roche logo
Salesforce logo
Stellantis logo