cone of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cone of light" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used figuratively to refer to a beam of light in the form of a cone, such as a spotlight. For example, you could say "The president stood in the cone of light, basking in the sound of applause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Hermione is caught against a concrete wall in a slanting cone of light.

The Guardian

We skied largely in silence, our worlds reduced to the cone of light cast from our headlamps.

The Guardian - Travel

He found a switch beside the bed, and when he pressed it his head and pillow were suddenly caught in a cone of light.

The New Yorker

Many showed a focused cone of light hanging in the darkness before slowly blurring, expanding and spiraling into a shape resembling a giant cosmic lawn ornament.

The New York Times

For McEwan, though, we live in a widening cone of light — a time of the decoded genome, the Hubble telescope, the illuminated brain.

The New Yorker

It is the cone of light beamed from the projector to make the circle, the beam picked out in the dark by the smoke, the way cigarette smoke used to pick out the light beams in movie houses.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Two helicopters hovered overhead, throwing down cones of light.

The New York Times

They have vistas: floorboards that stretch deep into interiors bathed in cones of light cast by ceiling lamps, or expanses of cobblestones that have the softness of marshmallows.

The New York Times - Arts

I remember we did a tour, and they had these cranes out in the audience, flying around, casting cones of light down on the audience, so that everyone in the audience had these halos on their heads.

The New Yorker

Blue jets propagate out of the tops of thunderclouds at surprisingly low velocities (roughly 100 km, or 60 miles, per second) in the form of narrow cones of light that are blue in colour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's because, when the sun went down and the music came up, about three hundred people converged on the town plaza, in the cones of light thrown off by the bulbs on their ersatz pagoda, and assembled into lines and couples for a night of dancing, free of charge.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cone of light" when you want to describe a focused beam of light, especially when emphasizing its shape as it spreads from a source. Consider whether a more specific term like "spotlight" or "beam" might be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cone of light" in contexts where a less metaphorical and more literal description of light is needed. Overusing the phrase in technical writing can make your explanations sound less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cone of light" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig showcases this in examples where it describes literal and figurative illumination. This supports the phrase's proper utilization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cone of light" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a focused, expanding beam of light. As Ludwig highlights, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. Its function is primarily descriptive, used to create visual imagery or highlight specific areas. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-supported by authoritative sources, ensuring its validity and appropriateness in both literal and figurative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

funnel of light

Changes "cone" to "funnel", emphasizing the shape and direction of the light.

beam of light

Replaces "cone" with "beam", focusing on the light's projection.

shaft of light

Substitutes "cone" with "shaft", highlighting the linear form of the light.

ray of light

Replaces "cone" with "ray", emphasizing a single line of light.

pool of light

Changes "cone" to "pool", shifting the focus to the illuminated area.

fan of light

Replaces "cone" with "fan", suggesting a wider, spreading light.

circle of light

Substitutes "cone" with "circle", focusing on a round illuminated area.

spotlight

Uses the single word "spotlight" to describe a focused beam of light.

area of illumination

Focuses on the effect of the light, rather than its shape.

luminous projection

Replaces the phrase with a more formal description of light being cast forward.

FAQs

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

You can use "cone of light" to describe a focused beam of light emanating from a source, such as "The stage performer stood within the "cone of light" from the spotlight."

What are some alternatives to "cone of light"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "beam of light", "shaft of light", or "pool of light".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cone of light"?

It is appropriate when describing a directed beam of light that visually expands outwards from its source. This phrase is suitable for both literal descriptions and metaphorical expressions.

What is the difference between "cone of light" and "funnel of light"?

While both describe a spreading beam, ""cone of light"" emphasizes the geometric shape, whereas "funnel of light" might suggest a more forceful or directed conveyance of the light.