enlightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enlightening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that provides insight, knowledge, or understanding, often in a positive context. Example: "The lecture on climate change was truly enlightening, offering new perspectives on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Urgently needed scholarly and public events enlightening students and citizens about key national debates of the day are already being shut down, on the grounds of "security".

The Guardian - Opinion

Besides enlightening the reader as to the true character of the government of the day and its aim to destroy a national asset for the benefit of international big business, it also illustrates what the miners of 1984 were truly up against.

The Guardian

With one of us having heard what sounded like a pretty explicit admission from a lord that they had bought their peerage, we thought it would be enlightening to not only look up whether he was a big donor (he was), but to test this claim across the board.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then travel back to the present and destroy your time machine, because no good can come of enlightening our ancestors.

The Guardian - Film

You can read the less than enlightening ways in which Morrisson addressed the issue at the press conference here.

The Guardian

It's not very enlightening.

The Guardian

The Alexandria Gazette opined that the telegraph would henceforth deliver the raw news, leaving newspapers to "examining causes, tracing effects, enlightening the judgments, and directing the reflections of men".

The Economist

They serve not only to fill in enlightening detail, but to place the current turmoil within the broader context of Egypt's past and to suggest what may lie in its future.Much of the early reporting on the unrest framed the surge to oust Mr Mubarak in overly personal terms, as a specific reaction to abuses of power during his three-decade-long reign.

The Economist

Their trajectories can be enlightening: Ms Sandberg worked at the World Bank and in the US Treasury before joining the tech industry.

The Economist

Why, perhaps even George Bush could become president.Greg ParnellSeattleChina and SARSSIR – Your article is as timely as it is enlightening ("China's Chernobyl?", April 26th).

The Economist

Below, please find a range of baffling, entertaining, and even enlightening statements about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill.ACA:"Single payer would have been much better""This was an extraordinary achievement.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enlightening", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being clarified or made more understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "enlightening" to describe information that is already widely known or obvious. Instead, reserve it for insights or discoveries that genuinely expand understanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enlightening" is typically as a present participle or adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that provides insight or understanding. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in various written English contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "enlightening" is a versatile adjective and present participle used to describe something that provides clarity, insight, or a deeper understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It commonly appears in News & Media sources and scientific contexts to depict situations or information that significantly enhance comprehension. To provide alternatives, one could consider phrases like "illuminating" or "informative". Overall, "enlightening" is a valuable word for conveying that something has increased someone's knowledge or awareness in a meaningful way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illuminating

Focuses on shedding light or clarifying a topic.

informative

Highlights the provision of knowledge or facts.

instructive

Emphasizes teaching or guiding understanding.

revealing

Indicates the disclosure of previously unknown information.

educational

Focuses on the aspect of learning and gaining knowledge.

clarifying

Emphasizes the process of making something easier to understand.

insightful

Highlights the depth of understanding provided.

eye-opening

Indicates a surprising or unexpected revelation.

thought-provoking

Emphasizes the stimulation of thinking and deeper consideration.

elucidating

Focuses on making something clear and comprehensible.

FAQs

How can I use "enlightening" in a sentence?

You can use "enlightening" to describe experiences or information that provide significant insight or clarity. For example, "The lecture was truly enlightening, offering new perspectives on the topic."

What's a good alternative to using "enlightening"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "illuminating", "informative", or "insightful".

When is it appropriate to use "enlightening"?

It's appropriate to use "enlightening" when describing something that significantly increases understanding or awareness, providing clarity or insight where it was previously lacking.

Is there a difference between "enlightening" and "informative"?

"Enlightening" suggests a deeper level of understanding or a shift in perspective, while "informative" simply means providing information. "Enlightening" often implies a more transformative experience.