Understanding the Phrase "Blacken Out"
Have you ever walked into a room and felt as if the shadows swallowed every corner, or noticed how a heavy storm can suddenly blacken out the sky? While it might sound similar to other common English phrases involving the word "black," blacken out has a specific, evocative meaning. As an English learner or a student looking to sharpen your vocabulary, understanding this term will help you describe scenes of deep darkness and total obstruction with greater precision.
Meaning and Usage
At its core, the verb phrase blacken out means to cause something to become completely dark or to obscure it entirely. Unlike "black out," which is often used as a noun or a verb related to losing consciousness or cutting off electricity, blacken out emphasizes the process of darkness covering a surface or an area.
It is frequently used in descriptive writing, journalism, or when talking about light being blocked. You might use it in the following contexts:
- Physical obstruction: When something opaque covers a transparent surface, preventing light from passing through.
- Atmospheric conditions: When clouds, smoke, or dust make an area look pitch black.
- Descriptive imagery: When an author wants to paint a picture of a space suddenly devoid of light.
Grammar and Patterns
Blacken out is typically used as a phrasal verb. You can use it transitively (with an object) or intransitively (without an object).
Transitive usage: The smoke blackened out the windows of the burning building.
Intransitive usage: The room suddenly blackened out when the heavy curtains were drawn across the glass.
Notice how in the transitive example, the object (the windows) sits between the verb and the preposition. In more formal writing, you can also place the object after the phrase: "The heavy storm blackened out the horizon."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake learners make is confusing blacken out with black out. While they sound similar, their usage is distinct:
- Black out (verb): Usually refers to losing consciousness ("He blacked out after standing up too quickly") or turning off all lights in a city ("The city will black out at midnight").
- Blacken out (verb): Focuses on the act of making something dark or opaque. Think of it as "covering with blackness."
Another mistake is using blacken out to describe editing a document. While you might use a black marker to hide names in a secret file, we typically use the term redact or black out (without the "en"). Using "blacken out" in that context can sound unnatural to native speakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "blacken out" a formal term?
It is generally considered descriptive and literary. You are more likely to find it in a novel or a detailed news report than in casual, daily conversation.
Can I use it to talk about my vision?
No. If you lose your vision or faint, you should say, "I blacked out." Using "blackened out" here would imply that something external covered your eyes, rather than an internal medical event.
Is it synonymous with "darken"?
It is related, but blacken out is much stronger. To darken means to make something less bright, whereas blacken out implies that all light has been removed or blocked completely.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs like blacken out adds depth and flavor to your English. Whether you are writing a story about a stormy night or describing how a heavy blanket of smog covers a city, this phrase provides a powerful way to convey the intensity of darkness. Remember to observe the distinction between this and the more common black out, and you will be well on your way to using it like a pro.