the movement of a shadow during the day

[alpacinou]

Imagine it's 02:30 P.M. You are sitting outside and you see a shadow on the asphalt of the street. Can you say this?

I saw a shadow stretch itself on the asphalt. I looked up and saw Harry.

If not, what verb can I use to describe the movement of shadow on asphalt?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Stretch is fine. Sometimes with shadow we also use the verb cross: I saw a shadow cross the asphalt.

In some contexts you can use darken: A shadow darkened the door.

The comedian Groucho Marx played with that expression in a movie. He shouted, "Be gone! And never darken my towels again!"

 

[alpacinou]

Stretch is fine. Sometimes with shadow we also use the verb cross: I saw a shadow cross the asphalt.

In some contexts you can use darken: A shadow darkened the door.

The comedian Groucho Marx played with that expression in a movie. He shouted, "Be gone! And never darken my towels again!"

Can I use darken in my sentence?
Generally, when can I use it?

I saw a shadow darken the asphalt of the alley. I looked up and saw Harry.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I wouldn't. One person's shadow won't darken an alley.

 

[tedmc]

I saw a shadown cast on the asphalt of the alley.

 

[emsr2d2]

I quite like "stretch" in the context but:

1. I would word it "I saw a shadow stretching across the asphalt".
2. This would only happen if the sun was at a particular angle or if a streetlight was a particular distance away.