a piece of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a piece of light" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing light in a metaphorical or poetic sense, or in scientific discussions about light particles. Example: "As the sun set, the sky was filled with a piece of light that seemed to dance on the horizon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Consider an ant walking on the page to be a photon (a piece of light).

Cornell University

Cut a piece of light blue poster board to fit the back section of the box.

Princeton University

For one thing I can never remember how far a piece of light travels per second.

The New York Times

Mr. Updike, as verbally charismatic as ever, compares one notion of reality to "a piece of light verse".

The New York Times - Books

He satirized himself, gently but tellingly, in a piece of light verse: How unpleasant to meet Mr. Eliot!

The New York Times - Books

Allan puts on a serious face: "This book may appear just a piece of light comedy, but really I want to help Jamie Oliver.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A bit more tender is "Curtains," a wavering stripe bleached down the center of a piece of light-damaged canvas.

The New York Times - Arts

To make these pictures -- photograms -- I took the bags into my darkroom and gently dropped them between my enlarger's lens and a piece of light-sensitive paper.

The New York Times

If clothes can make you feel a certain way, so can a house, so can a light, a piece of lighting, so can an environment that is created.

Independent

There were machine sheds and warehouses, and above these he saw a break in the clouds — a piece of yellow light.

The New Yorker

The holotype of Protomycena is a single fruit body without any associated structures, preserved in a piece of clear light yellow polished amber approximately 4.5 2.5 cm wide.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a piece of light" when you want to convey a sense of light as a tangible or distinct entity, especially in descriptive or metaphorical contexts. For example, "The sun cast a piece of light onto the dusty floor."

Common error

Avoid using "a piece of light" in highly technical or scientific writing where terms like "photon" or "light wave" would be more precise. "A piece of light" is generally more appropriate for literary or descriptive uses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a piece of light" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It can act as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. The examples Ludwig provides showcases its flexibility in different sentence structures, from literal descriptions to metaphorical expressions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piece of light" functions as a noun phrase often used descriptively or metaphorically across a range of contexts, from news and media to academia and general-purpose writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and its suitable application in both literal and figurative scenarios, while urging caution in highly technical contexts where greater precision is required. The analysis indicates that the phrase enjoys relatively common usage, and it’s essential to use alternatives such as ""ray of light"" or ""beam of light"" to accommodate specific shades of meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a ray of light

Focuses on a single stream or beam of light, emphasizing directionality.

a beam of light

Highlights the concentrated and directed nature of light.

a flash of light

Emphasizes a sudden and brief burst of illumination.

a glimmer of light

Suggests a faint or weak source of light, often implying hope or discovery.

a shard of light

Implies a fragmented and sharp-edged appearance of light, often used metaphorically.

a streak of light

Depicts a long, thin line of light, suggesting movement or speed.

a patch of light

Refers to a small, defined area illuminated by light.

an element of light

Suggests that light is a component or aspect of a larger entity or scene.

a fragment of light

Highlights the partial or incomplete nature of the light present.

a touch of light

Emphasizes the gentle or subtle presence of light.

FAQs

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

You can use "a piece of light" to describe light in a tangible or metaphorical sense. For instance, "A single "ray of light" pierced through the clouds."

What phrases are similar to "a piece of light"?

Similar phrases include "ray of light", "beam of light", or "flash of light", depending on the context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "a piece of light" in scientific writing?

While grammatically correct, "a piece of light" is generally more suitable for descriptive or literary writing. In scientific contexts, terms like "photon" or "light wave" may be more appropriate.

What’s the difference between "a piece of light" and "a ray of light"?

"A piece of light" is a more general and metaphorical term, while "a ray of light" specifically refers to a single stream or beam of light. The choice depends on the desired level of precision and the context.