a power outage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a power outage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a loss of electrical power in a specific area. Example: "Due to the severe storm, we experienced a power outage that lasted for several hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We would have just thought it was a power outage.

The New York Times

There were also reports of a power outage.

The Guardian

There is currently a power outage at West Campus.

Cornell University

These switches were down due to a power outage.

Cornell University

He also said a "power outage is a way of damaging centrifuge machines".

The New York Times

In case you wanted to see what a museum looks like when there's a power outage.

Independent

All year round, the camp faced a power outage of 16 to 18 hours each day.

The New York Times

(A power outage delayed play for thirty-four minutes right after Beyoncé's thirteen-minute performance).

The New Yorker

There was a power outage at the coffee shop where Siyu had suggested they meet.

The New Yorker

"The first time we had a power outage, it was kind of romantic," Ms. Bigelow said.

The New York Times

"Being displaced due to a power outage would not qualify for reimbursement for additional living expenses".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "a power outage", be specific about the cause if known (e.g., storm, equipment failure) to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid using "a power outage" interchangeably with terms like "brownout" or "surge". A power outage indicates a complete loss of electricity, while a brownout is a voltage reduction and a surge is a sudden voltage increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a power outage" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an instance of electrical power loss. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

30%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “a power outage” is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a situation where electrical power is lost. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and notes its usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and general discussions. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specifying the cause of the outage can enhance understanding. Alternative phrases like "an electricity failure" or "a blackout" can be used depending on the context. Remember, “a power outage” refers to a complete loss of electricity, distinguishing it from related terms like “brownout” or “surge”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an electricity failure

Replaces 'power' with 'electricity' and 'outage' with 'failure', focusing on the interruption of electrical service.

a blackout

A more concise term for a power outage, often implying a widespread event.

an electrical failure

Specifies the failure is related to the electrical system.

a loss of power

Focuses on the absence of electrical power, rather than the outage itself.

a disruption to power supply

Highlights the interruption of the power supply.

an interruption of electricity

Emphasizes the break in the flow of electricity.

a failure in the electricity grid

Pinpoints the problem to the electricity grid, which is more specific.

a temporary loss of electricity

Highlights that the power loss is not permanent.

disrupted power

Uses 'disrupted' as an adjective to describe the state of the power.

electricity cut

A more informal way of saying the electricity is cut off.

FAQs

How can I use "a power outage" in a sentence?

You can use "a power outage" to describe a situation where there is a loss of electrical power. For example, "The storm caused "a power outage" in several neighborhoods."

What's the difference between "a power outage" and "a blackout"?

While often used interchangeably, ""a power outage"" generally refers to a localized or specific instance of power loss, whereas "a blackout" typically describes a more widespread and prolonged loss of power.

What can I say instead of "a power outage"?

You can use alternatives such as "an electricity failure", "a blackout", or "a loss of power" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the power is outage"?

No, the correct phrasing is "there is "a power outage"" or "the power is out". The word "outage" functions as a noun, not a verb or adjective in this context.