a blackout

USAGE SUMMARY

'a blackout' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in situations when a power outage or the loss of any other type of service occurs. For example: "The entire city was hit by a blackout last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I had a blackout, I'm sorry".

The Guardian - Sport

All that remains is a blackout.

The New York Times - Arts

A blackout separates the segments.

The New York Times - Arts

"Last night we had a blackout.

The New York Times

A blackout was a signal to stand.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'll clap when there's a blackout".

The New Yorker

"It was like a blackout, sort of...".

The New Yorker

Hulk said his team "had a blackout".

The Guardian - Sport

A blackout led to looting and thousands of arrests.

The New York Times

It's a blackout that feels like a lockout.

The New York Times - Sports

It's fast, easy and even works in a blackout.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In cases of memory loss, clarify the duration and potential triggers of "a blackout" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a blackout" loosely to describe any general period of inactivity or lack of awareness. Reserve it for specific instances of power loss or memory loss to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blackout" primarily functions as a noun phrase, referring to an instance of power loss, memory loss, or information suppression. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "A blackout led to looting and thousands of arrests".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blackout" is a versatile phrase primarily used to describe a loss of power, memory, or information access. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "a power outage" or "a memory lapse" can be used depending on the specific meaning, "a blackout" serves as a general term for these sudden losses. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and consider the specific type of loss being described. Common errors include using it too loosely, rather than reserving it for events where a service or memory is specifically impaired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a power outage

Focuses specifically on the loss of electrical power.

an electrical failure

Specifically points to a malfunction in the electrical system.

a memory lapse

Refers to a temporary failure of memory.

a period of amnesia

Indicates a more prolonged or significant loss of memory.

a service disruption

Focuses on the interruption of a specific service.

a communications breakdown

Highlights a failure in communication systems.

a system failure

Indicates a malfunction of a process or system.

a news embargo

Implies a restriction on the release of news or information.

a censorship

Focuses on the suppression of speech or public communication.

a media silence

Highlights a lack of media coverage on a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "a blackout" in a sentence?

You can use "a blackout" to describe a loss of electrical power, as in "The city experienced "a blackout" during the storm". It can also refer to a period of memory loss, like "He claimed to have had "a blackout" after the accident".

What are some synonyms for "a blackout"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "a power outage" for electrical failures, or "a memory lapse" when referring to a loss of memory.

Is it correct to say "the blackout" instead of "a blackout"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "A blackout" generally refers to a single instance of a power outage or memory loss. "The blackout" might refer to a specific, well-known event, such as "the Northeast blackout of 2003".

Can "a blackout" refer to censorship or media suppression?

Yes, "a blackout" can metaphorically refer to the suppression of news or information, similar to "a news embargo", where certain information is deliberately withheld from the public.