beam of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'beam of light' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a narrow column of light that is usually emitted by a natural or artificial source, such as a flashlight or the sun. Here is an example sentence: The sun shone through a narrow beam of light that illuminated the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The second, called "flash," emits a strong beam of light.

The New York Times

So in goes that lovely bright beam of light.

The Guardian

A beam of light, the glory of his house.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What just happened?' The skies opened up, and this beam of light came down on Billy".

The New York Times

"I like taking people in that narrow beam of light," he said.

The Guardian - Arts

Suddenly a beam of light swung down on us, backed up by a resounding diesel noise.

The New Yorker

The first thing to appear is a beam of light, with children in it.

The New York Times

It's the first landmark you see, the beam of light, and we know where we are".

The New York Times

DiPietro does, however, represent a beam of light slicing through the gloom.

The New York Times - Sports

One night, as he sat in his van, a beam of light pierced his reverie.

The New York Times - Arts

Now I see the beam of light outpacing you by just one mile an hour.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "beam of light", consider the context and choose the most appropriate adjective to describe its characteristics, such as 'narrow', 'intense', or 'focused', to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "beam of light" redundantly when the intensity or source is already implied. For example, instead of "an intense beam of laser light", simply use "laser beam" since lasers are inherently intense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beam of light" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, describing a focused projection of light, whether literal or figurative. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and diverse applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beam of light" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase, denoting a focused projection of light both literally and figuratively. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider the specific characteristics of the light and avoid redundancy. As demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, "beam of light" can effectively convey illumination, visual imagery, or represent positive influence and hope. Alternatives like "ray of illumination" or "shaft of light" offer nuanced options for expressing the concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ray of illumination

Replaces 'beam' with 'ray' and 'light' with 'illumination', emphasizing the source of light.

shaft of light

Uses 'shaft' instead of 'beam', suggesting a more solid or defined column of light.

streak of light

Substitutes 'beam' with 'streak', implying a fleeting or transient light.

gleam of light

Replaces 'beam' with 'gleam', suggesting a softer or reflected light.

sunbeam

Specifies the source of light as the sun.

laser beam

Specifies the type of beam as a laser, indicating a concentrated and coherent light source.

narrow light

Focuses on the attribute of the light being narrow, rather than the beam itself.

focused light

Highlights the focused nature of the light.

radiant glow

Shifts the emphasis to the glowing effect of the light.

luminous ray

Emphasizes the luminous quality of the ray, highlighting its brightness and ability to emit light.

FAQs

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

You can use "beam of light" to describe a focused ray of light, as in "A "beam of light" shone through the window", or metaphorically, as in "She was a "beam of light" in his life".

What's a more descriptive way to say "beam of light"?

Consider alternatives like "ray of illumination", "shaft of light", or "streak of light" depending on the specific visual impression you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a beam of lights"?

No, the correct plural form is "beams of light". "Beam" is the noun, so it takes the plural form, not "light".

What is the difference between "gleam of light" and "beam of light"?

A "gleam of light" suggests a faint or reflected light, while "beam of light" implies a more direct and focused source of illumination.