a faint glow

USAGE SUMMARY

"a faint glow" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a dim or weak source of light or a faint feeling or emotion. Here is an example sentence: "As the sun set behind the mountains, a faint glow remained in the sky, casting a warm hue over the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

AS THE Karakum desert sinks into cold darkness, a faint glow lights up the horizon.

The Economist

"From December until mid-January, this region is shrouded in darkness, except for a faint glow of light around midday".

Independent

Soon, we were 60 feet down, sea floor invisible in the indigo darkness, ceiling above a faint glow.

The New York Times - Travel

What still leaves an impression was the sense of quiet and then, gradually, a faint glow appearing in the east.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A faint glow in the space between stars and galaxies has been traveling toward us for 13 billion years, carrying information about early moments of the universe.

Cornell University

Looking forward, you could see nothing at all, but toward the back of the small theater, a faint glow was visible on the ceiling.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

If many bubbles are present, however, mutual perturbations prevent a spherical collapse and result in only a very faint glow, first noticed in the 1930s (ref. 2).

Nature

Come nightfall, expanses of sky are touched with a dramatic, though faint, glow.

The New York Times

The supernova team's search technique involved taking multiple near-infrared images over several months, looking for a supernova's faint glow.

Johns Hopkins University

The new map is a smart byproduct of the European Space Agency (Esa) telescope's main mission which is to survey the Cosmic Microwave Background, or CMB - a pervasive but faint glow of long-wavelength radiation that comes to us from the very edge of the observable Universe.

BBC

Just down the hall, in a windowless room lit by the faint glow of a green laser shooting through a maze of optical equipment, you'll find the company's crown jewels, tiny particles emitting a variety of colors.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a faint glow" to create a sense of mystery or anticipation, especially in descriptive writing. For example: "A faint glow emanated from the old house on the hill."

Common error

Avoid using "a faint glow" in highly technical or scientific writing where precise measurements of light intensity are required. Instead, opt for specific units like lux or candela.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faint glow" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically describes a weak or subtle light emission, as illustrated in the examples provided by Ludwig. The phrase is approved by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a faint glow" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe a subtle or weak light source. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is versatile enough to be used in various contexts, from news reports and literature to scientific papers, though it appears more frequently in journalistic and descriptive writing. While synonyms like "a dim radiance" or "a subtle glimmer" exist, "a faint glow" carries its own unique tone, often evoking a sense of mystery or gentle illumination. Remember to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in highly technical contexts where more precise terminology is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dim radiance

Replaces 'glow' with 'radiance' and 'faint' with 'dim', emphasizing the subtle light emitted.

a subtle glimmer

Uses 'glimmer' instead of 'glow' and 'subtle' instead of 'faint', highlighting a gentle, wavering light.

a weak illumination

Substitutes 'glow' with 'illumination' and 'faint' with 'weak', focusing on the lack of strong light.

a soft luminescence

Employs 'luminescence' in place of 'glow' and 'soft' instead of 'faint', indicating a gentle, self-generated light.

a muted gleam

Replaces 'glow' with 'gleam' and 'faint' with 'muted', suggesting a subdued, reflected light.

a pale shimmer

Uses 'shimmer' instead of 'glow' and 'pale' instead of 'faint', depicting a delicate, wavering light.

a gentle radiance

Employs 'radiance' instead of 'glow' and 'gentle' instead of 'faint', highlighting a soft, diffused light.

a subdued light

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler description focusing on the diminished intensity of light.

a delicate shine

Substitutes 'glow' with 'shine' and 'faint' with 'delicate', indicating a subtle, polished light.

a low-level luminance

Uses a more technical term, 'luminance', to describe the low intensity of the light.

FAQs

How can I use "a faint glow" in a sentence?

You can use "a faint glow" to describe a dim or weak source of light, for example, "A faint glow appeared on the horizon just before dawn."

What's the difference between "a faint glow" and "a bright light"?

"A faint glow" suggests a weak and subtle light, while "a bright light" implies a strong and intense illumination.

Are there any synonyms for "a faint glow"?

Yes, alternatives include "a dim radiance", "a subtle glimmer", or "a weak illumination depending on the specific context".

Is "a faint glow" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a faint glow" is generally suitable for formal writing, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts. However, be mindful of the tone and purpose of your writing.