flame went out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flame went out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a fire or light source has extinguished. Example: "After a long night of camping, I noticed that the flame went out, leaving us in darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Then the music died and the flame went out and you wondered if we would feel quite this way ever again.

Independent

The organising committee will hope there is no repeat of the burner "malfunction" when the flame went out in Devon on day three.

The Guardian - Sport

The Devon town of Great Torrington has written its name in the pages of Olympic infamy, as the place where the Olympic Flame went out, on Day Three of the relay.

Independent

A trip to the top of Blackpool Tower was cancelled and, with the tower in sight, the flame went out as the squall worsened in the early evening.

BBC

According to court documents, "after the flame went out, more smoke emanated from under the head piece to the extent that the death chamber was filled with smoke".

Huffington Post

"The flame went out.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Your final day catch-up: Cheers, boos and a carnival atmosphere as flame goes out on Rio Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

So the company gave him a cell phone and rented a device that allows him to light the boiler by remote control by dialing into the company each morning.. "I do this five days a week, and I'm on call in case the flame goes out," Rabbi Mendelson said.

The New York Times

If Sonic does not do so before the flame goes out, his "life is forfeit".

Wikipedia

After the flame goes out, and the thin trail of smoke drifts upward, notice how you feel.

Huffington Post

So when the Olympic flame goes out and the athletes return to their gyms and tracks, aquatic centers and courts, they will remember that for one brief moment in history, all eyes were on them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "fire extinguished" for a more polished tone.

Common error

Avoid unintentionally blending the literal and figurative uses of "flame went out". If describing a loss of passion, make sure there aren't concurrent literal descriptions of fire being present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flame went out" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the cessation of burning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable English expression to describe an extinguished fire or light source.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flame went out" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe the extinguishing of a flame, often in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as an English expression. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to inform about the end of something, be it a fire or an emotion. When utilizing this phrase, especially in a figurative sense, be mindful of potential misinterpretations and ensure clarity to effectively convey the intended meaning. When a more formal style is required in writing, consider replacing the query with similar terms such as “fire extinguished” or other options listed above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flame extinguished

Focuses on the action of putting out the flame, emphasizing the act itself.

fire ceased to burn

A more formal way of saying the fire stopped.

fire died down

Emphasizes a gradual decrease in intensity rather than a sudden stop.

the blaze was extinguished

A more formal and passive way to express that the fire was put out.

flame sputtered out

Suggests an unsteady or faltering end to the flame.

light faded

Shifts the focus from fire to light, implying a gradual dimming.

ember ceased to glow

Highlights the end of glowing embers, focusing on residual heat/light.

glow disappeared

Refers to the disappearance of the glow, not necessarily the flame itself.

illumination waned

More poetic and refers to the fading of light.

spark diminished

Implies that the flame decreased in size.

FAQs

How can I use "flame went out" in a sentence?

You can use "flame went out" to describe the literal extinguishing of a fire, such as "The candle's flame went out because of the wind". It can also be used metaphorically, for example, "Their passion for the project diminished and the flame went out".

What are some alternative phrases for "flame went out"?

Some alternatives include "fire died down", "flame extinguished", or "light faded". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "flame went out"?

Yes, "flame went out" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure with a noun ("flame") and a verb ("went out").

What's the difference between "flame went out" and "fire went out"?

While similar, "flame went out" specifically refers to the visible burning part of a fire, while "fire went out" is broader and can refer to the entire combustion process ceasing. So, "fire went out" can be considered as the broader term of the two.