a beam of sunlight

USAGE SUMMARY

"a beam of sunlight" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It refers to a specific and focused stream of light being emitted from the sun. Example: As she sat on the balcony, a gentle breeze blew through her hair and a beam of sunlight warmed her face.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The afternoon sun sent a beam of sunlight through the only window.

The New York Times - Food

Sondheim makes a face like Dracula being struck by a beam of sunlight.

The Guardian

Here a beam of sunlight engulfs her as a statue of the Virgin and Child on the church wall glows.

The New York Times - Arts

To test this hypothesis, Newton shined a beam of sunlight through a glass prism and showed that it decomposed into a spectrum cast on the wall.

The New York Times - Science

Further investigation showed that the change occurred when a beam of sunlight fell on the wire, which by chance had been placed on a table near the window.

Britannica

Artists Gene and Susan Flores designed the pyramidal covering of the pavilion to allow a beam of sunlight to fall upon the plaque each Sept. 11.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

One minute I have my head down and I'm scrambling through a freezing hail storm, the next minute the clouds have parted and a beam of warm sunlight strikes my back like a gift from the heavens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unlike conventional receivers that employ fluid flowing through tubular receivers, falling particle receivers use solid particles that are heated directly as they fall through a beam of concentrated sunlight, with particle temperatures capable of reaching 1000 °C and higher.

Applied Thermal Engineering

She's in search of two things: "real, natural, starry dark" and, in the neolithic burial mound of Maes Howe, a beam of solstice sunlight that, if conditions are right, will creep through the darkness and illuminate the tomb, as it has done every midwinter for 5,000 years.

The Guardian - Books

Montgomery County's memorial to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks was carefully designed so that on every anniversary, at precisely 8 46 a.m.— the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center — a beam of rising sunlight will travel across a plaque, illuminating the date and the names of the 11 victims from the county.

The Washington Post

Much as a focused beam of sunlight — say, a magnifying glass and an ant — causes burns, focused infrared will burn the skin.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a beam of sunlight" to create vivid imagery in descriptive writing, emphasizing the direction and intensity of the light. For example, "A beam of sunlight illuminated the dust motes dancing in the air."

Common error

Avoid using "a beam of sunlight" as a metaphor when a more direct or specific analogy would be clearer. For example, instead of saying "His smile was like a beam of sunlight", consider describing the smile directly as "warm" or "radiant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a beam of sunlight" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a specific instance of light from the sun. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in descriptive contexts, often emphasizing visual imagery.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a beam of sunlight" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily to create vivid and descriptive imagery, often found in News & Media, Arts, and Travel writing. While alternatives like "a ray of sunshine" or "a shaft of sunlight" exist, "a beam of sunlight" offers a balance of visual clarity and evocative power. When using this phrase, writers should aim to avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts and focus on its descriptive capabilities. The phrase is a tool for painting pictures with words, adding depth and nuance to scenes and settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a ray of sunshine

Focuses more on the warmth and positive feeling associated with sunlight, rather than just the visual aspect.

a shaft of sunlight

Emphasizes the shape and form of the sunlight as it penetrates through an opening.

a streak of sunlight

Highlights the linear and fleeting nature of the light.

a patch of sunlight

Refers to a specific area illuminated by sunlight.

sun's radiant glow

Shifts the focus to the overall brightness and warmth emitted by the sun.

sunlight streaming down

Emphasizes the action of sunlight descending from above.

sunlight filtering through

Highlights the passage of sunlight through an obstruction.

golden light of the sun

Focuses on the color and quality of sunlight.

a sunlit area

Refers to an area illuminated by the sun.

solar illumination

A more technical term for light provided by the sun.

FAQs

How can I use "a beam of sunlight" in a sentence?

You can use "a beam of sunlight" to describe light entering a space, highlighting a specific object, or creating a visual effect. For example, "A beam of sunlight streamed through the window", or "The dancer moved into a beam of sunlight on the stage".

What's the difference between "a beam of sunlight" and "a ray of sunshine"?

"A beam of sunlight" refers to a focused shaft of light, while "a ray of sunshine" often implies warmth and positivity, carrying a more metaphorical connotation. Although they can be used similarly in descriptive contexts, the latter is often used to describe a person.

What are some alternatives to "a beam of sunlight"?

Depending on the context, you could use "a shaft of sunlight", "a streak of sunlight", or "sunlight streaming down". The choice depends on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "a beam of sun" instead of "a beam of sunlight"?

While "sun" and "sunlight" are closely related, "a beam of sun" is less common and may sound slightly awkward. "A beam of sunlight" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing.