flashes of images

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flashes of images" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe brief, sudden visual impressions or memories that come to mind, often in a poetic or artistic context. Example: "As she closed her eyes, flashes of images from her childhood danced before her, each one more vivid than the last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The buzzing of the "fly", meanwhile, felt like the flashes of images and voices you might begin to hear if you are very tired and about to drop off to sleep – you realise they aren't real, yet they are perceptible all the same.

BBC

Both build a sense of dread through flashes of images and suggestion, rather than through prolonged gory scenes.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So it was a very weird experience from an interview perspective, just to see somebody transcribe that flash of images as pure memory.

The New York Times

You shouldn't flash on images of soccer fans being crushed to death when inching your way through a crowd, as I did after Alfonso Cuarón's "Gravity".

The New York Times

a flashing string of images.

The Guardian - Books

The show doesn't shun such sensation, and some of the photographs and books of "flash" — recipes of images — offer plenty, but it is also careful and sober as it traces the history.

The New York Times - Arts

"I saw flashes of her image on the television and it was really scary".

The Guardian - Music

My childhood memories are full of flashing images of annual monsoon rains making rivers out of our roads, lakes out of our rice paddy fields, washing away farmers' harvests, pushing the rural population into our already overpopulated capital city.

Huffington Post

The experiment itself was straightforward: he flashed a set of images to a subject and asked him or her to identify each one.

The New Yorker

There was a TV, with its sound turned off, flashing the customary wall of images about the campaign season.

The New Yorker

Subjects watched a series of images flashed on a video screen for 1 second each.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flashes of images" to create vivid, impactful descriptions of fleeting memories or sudden visual experiences in your writing. This is particularly effective in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "flashes of images" when a more straightforward description would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing seem overly dramatic or convoluted. Instead, opt for simpler and more direct language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flashes of images" is that of a noun phrase functioning as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a series of sudden and brief visual impressions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flashes of images" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe fleeting visual impressions or memories. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing and narrative contexts, lending immediacy and vividness to the described experiences. While found across various sources, it appears most commonly in news, wiki and media. When employing this phrase, be mindful of overuse and ensure that it enhances rather than complicates your description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting glimpses of visuals

Emphasizes the transient and quick nature of the visual impressions.

brief bursts of visuals

Highlights the sudden and intense nature of the visual impressions.

sudden glimpses of scenes

Focuses on the unexpected nature and scenic quality of the visual impressions.

quick snapshots of scenes

Implies a rapid and concise depiction of events or settings.

fleeting glimpses of mental pictures

Highlights the ephemeral nature of mental representations.

brief glimpses of memories

Focuses on the short, quick recall of past experiences.

rapid succession of visuals

Emphasizes the quick pace and sequence of the images.

short bursts of mental imagery

Highlights the brief and sudden nature of mental visuals.

quick visions of scenes

Implies a swift view of specific scenes.

rapid glimpses of visuals

Focuses on both speed and transience of the images.

FAQs

How can I use "flashes of images" in a sentence?

You can use "flashes of images" to describe sudden, brief visual impressions, memories, or visions. For example: "As she listened to the music, "flashes of images" from her past flooded her mind."

What are some alternatives to "flashes of images"?

Some alternatives include "fleeting glimpses of visuals", "brief bursts of visuals", or "sudden glimpses of scenes", depending on the specific context.

Is "flashes of images" formal or informal?

"Flashes of images" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in descriptive or narrative writing. The level of formality depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.

How does the use of "flashes of images" affect the reader?

Using "flashes of images" can create a sense of immediacy and vividness, allowing the reader to experience brief but impactful visual moments. It's particularly effective in conveying memories, dreams, or sudden insights.