a blast of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a blast of light" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense emission of light, often in a dramatic or vivid context. Example: "As the fireworks exploded in the night sky, a blast of light illuminated the entire area, captivating everyone present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Suddenly, there was a blast of light.

The New Yorker

If the environment is not to the seed's liking, the phytochrome slowly changes back and the seed waits for a blast of light when conditions are better.

The New York Times

To keep the electrons in the ring they are regularly shifted through small changes of direction by steering magnets, each of which results in an acceleration and a blast of light.

The Guardian

Strike it in time and the sample plays in perfect tempo, earning you a haptic buzz of the controller and, when you're squaring off against that alien, firing a blast of light into its gullet.

The New Yorker

While it is possible to produce lasers that develop as intense a blast of light as a synchrotron source, they are nowhere near as flexible because a laser is limited to a narrow range of frequencies, where Diamond produces a wide spectrum.

The Guardian

Suddenly there was a blast of light, and the next thing I knew it felt like daylight.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This no man's land is crying out for a blast of the light.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first sign of the phantom's approach is a blast of white light that illuminates the faces of those who see him.

The Guardian

That means there's a decent chance your dark desktop scheme will be regularly interrupted by a blast of white light.

TechCrunch

The laser will power the $4 billion National Ignition Facility, sited at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, which aims to produce fusion by using a blast of laser light to squeeze a tiny capsule of deuterium and tritium to incredibly high pressures and temperatures.

Science Magazine

As the poor lady in white runs toward the pavilion of a lookout, a blast of livid light fells her.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blast of light" when you want to convey a sudden, intense, and often impactful emission of light, whether literal or figurative.

Common error

Avoid using "a blast of light" to describe sudden experiences that are not visually related. For example, avoid phrases like "a blast of light of inspiration" – it's more appropriate to use "a burst of inspiration" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blast of light" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an event or phenomenon involving a sudden and intense emission of light, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

14%

Science & Research

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blast of light" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a sudden and intense emission of light. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science & Research contexts. The phrase serves to create vivid imagery or describe specific events. Related alternatives include "a burst of light" and "a flash of light". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with visually-related contexts and avoid substituting it for non-visual sensory experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burst of light

Emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the light emission, similar to "a blast of light".

a flash of light

Focuses on the brief duration and sudden appearance of the light.

a surge of light

Highlights the rapid increase in the intensity of light.

a beam of light

Refers to a concentrated and directed stream of light, unlike the more general "blast".

a flare of light

Suggests a sudden, bright, but often short-lived emission of light, typically associated with fire or explosions.

an explosion of light

Emphasizes the expansive and forceful nature of the light emission.

a gush of light

Implies a sudden and abundant outpouring of light.

a wave of light

Conveys the idea of light spreading outwards in a sweeping motion.

a burst of illumination

Replaces "light" with a more formal term, "illumination", while maintaining the sense of a sudden and intense emission.

a sudden radiance

Shifts the focus to the quality of the light – its brightness and luminosity.

FAQs

How can I use "a blast of light" in a sentence?

You can use "a blast of light" to describe a sudden, intense emission of light, such as "Suddenly, there was "a blast of light", and the next thing I knew it felt like daylight."

What's the difference between "a blast of light" and "a ray of light"?

"A blast of light" implies a sudden and intense burst, whereas "a ray of light" refers to a focused beam or stream of light.

What can I say instead of "a blast of light"?

You can use alternatives like "a burst of light", "a flash of light", or "a surge of light", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a blast of light" in a metaphorical sense?

Yes, "a blast of light" can be used metaphorically to describe a sudden and illuminating realization or understanding, though literal usage is more common.