flickering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flickering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a light or image that is unsteady or wavering, often in a way that suggests it is turning on and off rapidly. Example: "The candle's flame was flickering in the draft, casting dancing shadows on the walls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I entered the room I came face to face with my own flickering image on the screen, dressed as a battle-fleet starship commander.

The Guardian - Film

So, I usually end up falling asleep in bed around midnight, with a bright screen flickering not far from my closed eyes and dribbling mouth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He knows I speak French but continues in English for a few more minutes, his eyes flickering nervously around the enclosed space of the corridor.

The Guardian - Sport

This came to a head in 2007 over the bleak My December, an album that opens with the girl who was meant to be America's sweetheart snarling " I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green" over grunge guitars, and ends with Irvine, a bare, flickering lightbulb of a ballad that sounds like a nervous breakdown in song form.

The Guardian - Music

But I can never avoid reading something that's right there in front of me, so the multi-ethnic, omni-regional Babel of building-site back-chat in Riff-Raff was, for me anyway, reduced to a characterless line of flickering white type, flecked with ugly Americanisms.

The Guardian - Film

A million women, our eyes flickering backwards and forwards over a million options, each one priced to sell.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unlike Artaud's images, painfully born from his long years of confinement in mental clinics, Spero's were drawn from the surrounding nightmare of America's war in Vietnam, shouting from the newspaper headlines and flickering on the TV set in the corner.

The Guardian - Arts

THE scene: Saturday night in a flickering party tent beneath the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

The Economist

The Nazi Holocaust, followed by a later emigration encouraged by Communist anti-Semitism, has left just 10,000-odd.Yet in the nick of time, just before the last generation of Holocaust survivors dies out, the Polish-Jewish world is showing signs of flickering back to life.

The Economist

Borders are still closed, mines remain uncleared, railways do not run and more than 500,000 Azeri refugees are still living in camps.Now, after Heidar Aliev and Robert Kocharian, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, resumed talks in Moscow on June 21st, hopes of a breakthrough are flickering more brightly.

The Economist

More audaciously, he had demanded investigations into several of an alleged 400 cases where people have disappeared, mostly from his native Baluchistan, where an insurgency is flickering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flickering" to vividly describe unsteady light sources, such as candles or old screens, enhancing the atmosphere of your writing. For instance, "The "flickering" candlelight cast eerie shadows on the wall".

Common error

Avoid using "flickering" to describe objects or lights that are intended to be steady. For example, it's incorrect to say "The new LED light was "flickering"", as LEDs are designed for stable illumination.

Linguistic Context

The word "flickering" primarily functions as a verb in its present participle form, often modifying nouns to describe an unsteady or intermittent action. Ludwig AI indicates this use is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flickering" is a versatile term primarily used to describe unsteady or intermittent light and movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It appears frequently in News & Media, contributing to vivid descriptions and atmospheric details. While "flickering" is widely applicable, it's important to use it appropriately and avoid applying it to static or stable light sources. Consider alternatives such as "wavering", "fluttering", or "glimmering" to suit the nuances of your description. Be aware that "flickering" implies instability, while "flashing" suggest a regular on-off pattern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wavering

Describes a similar unsteady movement or light, but can also apply to abstract concepts like resolve or commitment.

fluttering

Focuses on rapid, light movement, often associated with wings or small objects.

glimmering

Emphasizes a soft, often intermittent light, suggesting a subtle or faint radiance.

shimmering

Implies a wavering, often watery, reflection of light, creating a visually dynamic effect.

blinking

Suggests a regular, on-off pattern of light, rather than an unsteady fluctuation.

pulsating

Indicates a rhythmic expansion and contraction, often associated with light or sound.

quivering

Denotes a trembling or shaking motion, often due to fear or excitement.

sparkling

Highlights the bright, scattered flashes of light, suggesting a lively or festive atmosphere.

coruscating

Describes a brilliant, sparkling, or flashing light, often used in a more literary context.

twinkling

Implies a gentle, intermittent light, often associated with stars or distant lights.

FAQs

How can I use "flickering" in a sentence?

"Flickering" can describe unsteady light (The candle's flame was flickering) or wavering images (The old screen showed a "flickering" picture).

What can I say instead of "flickering"?

You can use alternatives like "wavering", "fluttering", or "glimmering" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "flickering light" or "flickering lights"?

Both are correct, depending on whether you're referring to a single light source or multiple. "Flickering light" refers to one source, while "flickering lights" refers to several.

What's the difference between "flickering" and "flashing"?

"Flickering" implies an unsteady or wavering light, while "flashing" suggests a regular, on-off pattern. For example, a candle flame is "flickering", whereas a strobe light is flashing.