beams of sunshine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beams of sunshine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe rays of sunlight or metaphorically to convey warmth, happiness, or positivity. Example: "As she entered the room, her smile was like beams of sunshine, brightening everyone's day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

June 13-19: The weather is so nice that they keep getting distracted, halfway through reading your e-mail, by beams of sunshine.

The New Yorker

As at last the dark, light-tasting liquid was poured out, great beams of sunshine lanced down into the valleys below.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Motes of her face powder spin in a yellow beam of sunshine.

The New Yorker

Always, we waited for money to appear, as if it might pour in on a beam of sunshine.

The New Yorker

Compared with the founder of Vhemt — the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement, a group with the motto "May we live long and die out" — Mr. Weisman is a veritable beam of sunshine.

The New York Times - Books

Frankly, the only beam of sunshine out there for us is the opportunity to break out the heavy wool coat and experiment with Prada's autumn/winter Land Girl catwalk look (sans the leather waders, of course).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is invariably covered on the TV news, as if beaming shots of sunshine, palm trees and people in shorts into our living rooms is supposed to make us forget that we're wearing layers of clothing and that there are still mounds of ice and snow outside.

Huffington Post

Another called her "a ray of sunshine".

The New York Times

Congratulations on Your Little Ray of Sunshine!

The New Yorker

There is a ray of sunshine here.

The New York Times

But there was one ray of sunshine.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beams of sunshine" to create vivid imagery, especially when describing natural scenes or positive emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "beams of sunshine" in highly formal or technical writing, as it can sound overly sentimental. Opt for more neutral alternatives in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beams of sunshine" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to describe literal rays of sunlight, or metaphorically, to convey warmth, happiness, or positivity. Examples include describing physical light and metaphorical hope.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beams of sunshine" is a noun phrase used to describe literal rays of sunlight or, metaphorically, to convey positivity and warmth. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While generally neutral in register, it is best suited for descriptive and evocative writing and less appropriate for formal or technical contexts. Related phrases include "rays of sunlight" and "shafts of sunlight". Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid sounding overly sentimental in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rays of sunlight

Focuses specifically on the visual aspect of sunlight.

Shafts of sunlight

Emphasizes the form and direction of the light.

Sunlight streams

Highlights the flowing nature of the light.

Rays of hope

Shifts the focus to a metaphorical sense of optimism.

Glimmers of hope

Implies a small amount of optimism or positive feelings.

Moments of happiness

Broadens the concept to encompass general feelings of joy.

Sparks of joy

Emphasizes brief and intense feelings of happiness.

Outbursts of glee

Denotes sudden, enthusiastic happiness.

Waves of warmth

Focuses on positive feelings, possibly as an emotional state.

Fleeting moment

Captures the transient nature of a moment.

FAQs

How can "beams of sunshine" be used in a sentence?

You can use "beams of sunshine" to describe literal rays of sun, as in, "Great "beams of sunshine" lanced down into the valleys below", or metaphorically to represent positivity, as in, "Her smile was like "beams of sunshine", brightening everyone's day".

What are some alternatives to "beams of sunshine"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "rays of sunlight", "shafts of sunlight", or, metaphorically, "rays of hope".

Is it correct to use "beams of sunshine" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "beams of sunshine" may sound too sentimental for highly formal writing. Consider more neutral alternatives like "sunlight" or "illumination" in those contexts.

Can "beams of sunshine" be used to describe a person?

Yes, "beams of sunshine" can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is cheerful and brings happiness to others, although phrases like "ray of sunshine" or "breath of fresh air" might be more common.