despite the flicker of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the flicker of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to convey a sense of resilience or persistence in the face of a small or fleeting sign of something, often hope or emotion. Example: "Despite the flicker of doubt in her mind, she pressed on with her plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite the flicker of optimism, huge challenges remain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The hurt-his-leg theory was supported by television footage from the summer in which Kim appeared to be limping, and by a documentary aired on North Korean television on September 25th that referred to "our marshal, who keeps lighting the path for the people, like the flicker of a flame, despite suffering discomfort".

The New Yorker

In a one-hour documentary aired on Thursday that showed a limping Kim visiting a factory near Pyongyang, the narrator said: "The wealth and prosperity of our socialism is thanks to the painstaking efforts of our marshal, who keeps lighting the path for the people, like the flicker of a flame, despite suffering discomfort".

The Guardian

Pearson was able to find a glimmer of official information in a new documentary about Kim shown on North Korean state television: "The wealth and prosperity of our socialism is thanks to the painstaking efforts of our marshal, who keeps lighting the path for the people, like the flicker of a flame, despite suffering discomfort," the voiceover states over footage of Kim walking with a limp.

The Washington Post

In the flicker of an eye.

Harvard University

— we saw the flicker of a fire in the distance.

The New Yorker

The flicker of a hopeful first half is fading quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

Rosberg flung it back, without the flicker of a smile.

The Guardian - Sport

The flicker of triumph.

Vice

With every crisis comes the flicker of opportunity.

Huffington Post

"That was just like the flicker of hope.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite the flicker of" to introduce a contrasting element that persists even when a small indication of something else exists, creating a nuanced and sophisticated tone in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the flicker of" when the 'flicker' is actually significant or has a major impact. This phrase is best suited for minor or fleeting indications that don't change the overall situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the flicker of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting element, suggesting that something persists or remains true even with a slight indication of something else. This phrase adds nuance to a statement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the flicker of" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, though rare in occurrence. It is typically used to introduce a contrast, acknowledging a minor or fleeting indication of something while emphasizing the prevailing condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides various examples across different contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure the 'flicker' remains a small detail that doesn't overshadow the overall context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of the glimmer of

Replaces "flicker" with "glimmer", suggesting a slightly brighter or more noticeable indication.

regardless of the hint of

Substitutes "flicker" with "hint", implying a subtle or indirect suggestion.

notwithstanding the trace of

Replaces "flicker" with "trace", emphasizing a minimal or barely perceptible sign.

even with the shadow of

Uses "shadow" instead of "flicker", indicating a dark or faint presence.

despite the inkling of

Employs "inkling" suggesting a vague or uncertain feeling or idea.

in defiance of the suggestion of

Replaces "flicker" with "suggestion", highlighting a resistance to an implied idea.

without regard for the sign of

Substitutes "flicker" with "sign", emphasizing a disregard for an indication.

irrespective of the glimmer of

Replaces "flicker" with "glimmer" and uses "irrespective of" to express lack of consideration.

discounting the shade of

Uses "shade" instead of "flicker", implying a subtle presence, and "discounting" to emphasize disregard.

overlooking the suspicion of

Replaces "flicker" with "suspicion", focusing on ignoring a feeling of doubt or mistrust.

FAQs

How can "despite the flicker of" be used in a sentence?

You can use "despite the flicker of" to show a contrast, such as "Despite the flicker of hope, the situation remained dire."

What are some alternatives to "despite the flicker of"?

Alternatives include "in spite of the glimmer of", "regardless of the hint of", or "notwithstanding the trace of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in spite of the flicker of" instead of "despite the flicker of"?

Yes, "in spite of the flicker of" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "despite the flicker of". They are largely interchangeable.

How does "despite the flicker of" differ from "because of the flicker of"?

"Despite the flicker of" indicates that something persists in spite of a minor indication, while "because of the flicker of" indicates that something happens as a result of that indication. They have opposite meanings.