a collection of lights

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collection of lights" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or assortment of lights, often in a decorative or functional context. Example: "The festival featured a stunning display, with a collection of lights illuminating the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it's the DIY Electro Dough Kit that may be most enticing: it's a collection of lights, switches and buzzers designed to be squashed into Play-Doh (or dough that you've made with your children at home) to create colourful – and squidgy – electronic circuits.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now researchers at MIT have integrated a collection of light sensors into polymer fibers, creating a new type of camera.

MIT Technology Review

The Boi lamp is the newest addition to a collection of lighting of the same name from Ralph Pucci.

The New York Times

His new book, with drawings by his brother Mark, is a collection of light verse, "Lettered Creatures".

The New York Times

In fission a heavy nucleus (such as uranium) is split into a collection of lighter nuclei and fast-moving particles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this work, this phenomenon was studied for high pressure adsorption of a collection of light gases on polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA -derived carbons.

Carbon

He is currently working on a collection of lighting, furniture, rugs and vases for Debenhams which he says he likes because it is high street and accessible.

The Guardian

The result was a collection of light, summer clothes with the sophistication that Ms. Herrera brings out in a different and subtle way each season.

The New York Times

There was the well-received "The Woman Between the Worlds" (Dell Trade Paperback, 1994), an early example of the genre now called steampunk, and "MacIntyre's Improbable Bestiary" (Wildside Press, 2001), a collection of light verse praised by Isaac Asimov.

The New York Times

Kevin Walz, who won a Rome Prize in 1994 to study design, has created a collection of lighting fixtures for Baldinger that includes pendants, wall sconces, and table and floor lamps.

The New York Times

About 75 people were evacuated or found their own way out of the building's warren of lofts and offices -- a collection of light industries, importers, dot-coms, printers and other enterprises.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a collection of lights" when describing a group of lights intended for a specific purpose, such as decoration or illumination.

Common error

Avoid adding too many adjectives before "lights". For example, instead of "a stunning, dazzling, brilliant collection of lights", choose one or two impactful adjectives that best convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collection of lights" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a group or assortment of lights, as seen in Ludwig examples where it describes decorative or functional groupings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a collection of lights" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a group or assortment of lights, as verified by Ludwig. It is generally neutral in register and can be used in various contexts, including news articles, scientific descriptions, and encyclopedic entries. Common alternatives include "an array of lights" or "a set of lights", depending on the specific arrangement or purpose of the lights. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, according to Ludwig, it's important to avoid overuse of descriptive adjectives to maintain clarity and conciseness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an array of lights

Changes the noun from "collection" to "array", suggesting a more visually organized arrangement.

a set of lights

Replaces "collection" with "set", implying a defined or matching group of lights.

a display of lights

Uses "display" to emphasize the visual presentation or exhibition of the lights.

an assortment of lights

Changes to "assortment", implying a varied mix of different types of lights.

a gathering of lights

Replaces with "gathering", suggesting the lights are clustered or brought together.

a cluster of lights

Uses "cluster" to denote a tightly packed or grouped arrangement of lights.

a series of lights

Implies the lights are arranged in a sequence or order.

a constellation of lights

Metaphorically compares the arrangement of lights to a constellation, suggesting a visually striking pattern.

a compilation of lights

Refers to a collection gathered from different sources.

a montage of lights

Similar to "display", it suggests a visual composition created from different light sources.

FAQs

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

You can use "a collection of lights" to describe a group of lights used for decoration, illumination, or a specific project. For example, "The festival featured "a collection of lights" illuminating the night sky".

What are some alternatives to "a collection of lights"?

Some alternatives include "an array of lights", "a set of lights", or "a display of lights", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a light collection" or "a collection of lights"?

"A collection of lights" is generally preferred because it is more grammatically correct and clearly indicates that you are referring to multiple lights. "A light collection" could be misinterpreted as a collection that is light in weight or color.

What's the difference between "a collection of lights" and "a series of lights"?

"A collection of lights" refers to a group of lights, while "a series of lights" suggests that the lights are arranged in a particular order or sequence. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the grouping or the arrangement.