a cluster of lights

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cluster of lights" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or collection of lights that are close together, often creating a visually striking effect. Example: "As we approached the city, we could see a cluster of lights twinkling in the distance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the distance, a plane, a cluster of lights, was sailing noiselessly east through a few rags of clouds.

The New Yorker

A single Dallas Cowboys football game uses up as much electricity as the entire nation of Liberia in those same three hours -- one reason the globe, if looked at from a certain height, is a cluster of lights surrounded by enormous patches of dark.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There are newspaper clippings and photographs of the dead attached to a chain-link fence, and a cluster of lighted candles lining the sidewalk.

The New York Times

At the front of the stage, facing the audience, Foreman has placed four poles, each holding a cluster of light bulbs that give off a migraine-inducing glare.

The New Yorker

But it has left vast tracts of the site empty for other companies to fill, in the hope of attracting a cluster of light industries.

The Economist

We have implemented a system based on this approach using a cluster of light sources with different spectra to illuminate the scene and a conventional RGB camera to acquire images.

Columbia University

However, in late 2013, officials had proposed a development strategy that would have divided it into a "mixed-use main street," an innovation campus, class-A office space and a cluster of light industrial buildings and could have included a hotel from a national chain.

Los Angeles Times

Then, when a reminder or "cue" pops up, that now-familiar synaptic configuration is activated like a cluster of Christmas lights.

The Guardian - Opinion

into the rear of Raikkonen's Ferrari, which was waiting beneath a cluster of red lights at the pit-lane exit.

The New York Times

There, inside a cavernous former wool storehouse — now a dusty gray rehearsal room — amid a cluster of cameras, lights, and local journalists, the actress Cate Blanchett and her husband, the playwright Andrew Upton, announced their appointment as co-artistic directors of the S.T.C., Australia's most prestigious theatre, which operates three stages.

The New Yorker

The back side of the device features a cluster of LED lights.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing urban landscapes at night, use "a cluster of lights" to create a vivid image of concentrated illumination, as opposed to dispersed or individual lights.

Common error

Avoid using "a cluster of lights" when a simpler description like "some lights" or "several lights" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the concentration and arrangement of lights are significant to the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cluster of lights" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is used to describe a grouping of light sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cluster of lights" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that effectively describes a concentrated grouping of light sources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific domains. When writing, use this phrase to create vivid imagery of concentrated illumination, avoiding overuse in simpler descriptions. Consider related phrases like "a group of lights" or "a collection of lights" for alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of lights

Replaces "cluster" with "group", offering a more generic term for a collection.

a collection of lights

Substitutes "cluster" with "collection", indicating an assemblage of lights.

a constellation of lights

Uses "constellation" to imply an arrangement of lights, often with a visual pattern.

a gathering of lights

Replaces "cluster" with "gathering", suggesting a coming together of lights.

an array of lights

Highlights the organized or decorative arrangement of lights.

a string of lights

Implies lights arranged in a linear fashion.

a chain of lights

Similar to "string of lights" but emphasizes connection between lights.

a blaze of lights

Suggests a large, intense display of lights.

a patch of lights

Implies a distinct area filled with light sources.

a scattering of lights

Conveys a more random and dispersed arrangement of lights.

FAQs

How can I use "a cluster of lights" in a sentence?

You can use "a cluster of lights" to describe a group of lights that are close together. For example, "From the airplane, we saw "a cluster of lights" indicating a city."

What can I say instead of "a cluster of lights"?

Alternatives include "a group of lights", "a collection of lights", or "an array of lights depending on the context".

Is it more appropriate to say "a cluster of lights" or "some lights"?

"A cluster of lights" is more descriptive and suggests a dense grouping, while "some lights" is more general. Choose "a cluster of lights" when you want to emphasize the concentration of light sources.

What's the difference between "a cluster of lights" and "a string of lights"?

"A cluster of lights" refers to a group of lights concentrated in one area, while "a string of lights" implies a linear arrangement, such as holiday lights.