and lights up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and lights up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that illuminates or becomes bright, often in a figurative sense, such as a person's expression or a physical object. Example: "The room was dark until she smiled, and lights up the entire space with her joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Deeda seems relieved and lights up again.

The New York Times - Magazine

IT flashes, points and lights up puddles.

The New York Times

She has a smile as wide as the Atlantic and lights up everywhere she goes.

Independent

Powered by electricity, the sculpture circulates and lights up at night, yet is unobtrusive.

The New York Times

It's made of pink plastic and lights up when a coin is inserted.

The New Yorker

"It has a special fragrant smell, with unmatched sheen, and lights up in the night," Mr. Uniyal said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Why put a kid in a car and light up?

The Guardian - Opinion

People came in and lit up cigars and cigarettes and were smoking away.

The New York Times

Linda Greene's father bribed her not to smoke; she pocketed the cash and lighted up anyway.

The New York Times

Sun poured into the conference room and lit up the dust.

The New York Times

Thousands of fans whipped out mobile telephones and lit up the darkened stadium with illuminated screens.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and lights up" when describing something that physically emits light or figuratively brightens a situation or someone's mood. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of illumination or activation.

Common error

Avoid using "and lights up" excessively in purely figurative contexts where a more nuanced verb like "enhances", "clarifies", or "energizes" might be more appropriate. Ensure the image of light is relevant to the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and lights up" functions as a conjunctive verb phrase, typically following another verb to describe a sequential action. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing both literal and figurative illumination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and lights up" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunctive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts, particularly in news and media. It describes a physical or metaphorical illumination following a prior action. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to more formal synonyms in certain academic or business contexts. The phrase effectively conveys the start of illumination or activation, adding a dynamic element to the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and illuminates

Replaces "lights up" with a more formal synonym.

and brightens

Suggests a more general enhancement of visibility or mood.

and glows

Implies a softer, less intense form of illumination.

and ignites

Conveys a sense of sudden and energetic illumination.

and activates

Focuses on the initiation of functionality rather than just illumination.

and powers on

Emphasizes the start of a device or system.

and comes alive

Suggests a more figurative sense of activation or invigoration.

and switches on

Highlights the action of turning something on.

and becomes illuminated

A more formal way of saying "and lights up".

and turns on

Focuses on the action of making something functional, implies a start.

FAQs

How can I use "and lights up" in a sentence?

You can use "and lights up" to describe a physical object that begins to emit light, such as "The Christmas tree "and lights up" when you plug it in." You can also use it figuratively to describe a change in someone's expression or mood, such as "Her face "and lights up" when she talks about her hobbies."

What are some alternatives to "and lights up"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "and illuminates", "and brightens", or "and glows" to convey a similar meaning to ""and lights up"".

Is it correct to use "and lights up" in formal writing?

Yes, "and lights up" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing a literal action. However, for highly formal or academic contexts, consider whether a more precise or sophisticated synonym like "and illuminates" would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "and lights up" and "and lights it up"?

"And lights up" typically refers to something that begins to emit light on its own, while "and lights it up" implies that someone or something is causing something else to become illuminated. For example, "The device "and lights up" when activated" versus "He "and lights up" the room with a lamp."