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shadow or shade
Which word should be used?
A shadow [countable] is a dark shape made on a surface by somebody or something that blocks the sun or a light.
Shade [uncountable] is an area where the sun does not reach. It is dark and cool under or behind something, e.g. a tree, a building or a wall.
Honestly, the definitions don't help much, so the best idea is to look at the example sentences:
The children are having fun, chasing each other's shadows.
Mark followed his brother around all day like a shadow.
The ship cast a shadow on the water.
You can see your own shadow on a sunny day.
The temperature can reach 35°C in the shade.
We sat in the shade and ate our lunch.
This plant grows well in shade.
The trees provide shade for the animals in the summer.
Some dictionaries for learners of English say that you should use:
in the shadow of something, e.g. She stood outside in the shadow of a large tree.
However, it's relatively easy to find dictionaries which say that you should use:
in the shade of something, e.g. They were sitting in the shade of a large tree.
The general conclusion is that you can use both phrases and neither of them is "more correct". But remember that "in the shadow of" or "under the shadow of" is preferred when it means "very close to".
Additonal examples:
I could see my mother sitting in the shade of the wall.
I was waiting for her in the shade of an oak.
Our group took shelter from the midday heat in the shade of a giant rock.
The cottage sits in the shadow of the lighthouse.
It was very hot, so I decided to walk in the shadow of the buildings.
It is a small town located in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.
They live in a nice old house under the shadow of the cathedral.