give light

USAGE SUMMARY

"give light" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to express that someone is giving off a light source, either literal or figurative. For example, "His words gave light to the confused situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"You have the possibility to give light a dimension in time," he said.

Stanford University

(By the way, it means "Dissolve these earthly chains, give light to the blind").

The New York Times - Arts

"I remember always seeing the paper's motto, 'Give light and the people will find their own way,'" he said.

The New York Times

This makes sense according to the model, as larger droplets would give light more room to bounce, creating longer paths and larger phase lags.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even now the suggestion to a Russian that a tree might be felled to give light to a gloomy house can provoke an indignant rejoinder.

The Economist

The Sun arising in the East, Though he give light, and th' East perfume; If they should offer to contest With Thy arising, they presume.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Gov. George E. Pataki, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles E. Schumer, candidates for mayor and almost every New York politician worthy of the name was there, shaking hands, waving flags, pausing to give light-patter interviews about the greatness of the parade, the weather and the people of Puerto Rico.

The New York Times

It subverts justice; juries give lighter sentences to defendants that show sadness.

The New York Times

The solvent was distilled in vacuum to give light-green powder 3, m.p. 170°С.

Chemistry Central Journal

Then, a sample is taken from a given light source.

Stanford University

In adult mice, FLARE also gave light- and motor-activity-dependent transcription in the cortex.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give light" when you want to express providing literal illumination or, metaphorically, to clarify or enlighten a situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical light or figurative understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "give light" in contexts where 'provide information' or 'clarify' would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase metaphorically can make your writing sound cliché or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "give light" is as a verb phrase, where "give" is the main verb and "light" is the direct object. It describes the action of providing or emitting light. Ludwig AI validates its proper use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give light" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of providing illumination, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. Its neutral register and widespread use in news, science, and academic writing make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit. While alternatives like "shed light on" or "provide illumination" exist, "give light" holds its own unique nuance, emphasizing the act of imparting radiance or understanding. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring clarity and avoiding clichés.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide illumination

Replaces "give" with "provide", focusing on the act of supplying light.

shed light on

Emphasizes clarification or explanation rather than literal light.

offer illumination

Similar to 'provide illumination' but with a slightly different tone.

cast light upon

Similar to 'shed light on', emphasizing direction and focus.

impart radiance

More poetic and emphasizes the quality of light being given.

supply luminance

A more technical term for providing light, often used in scientific contexts.

furnish light

Uses 'furnish' to indicate providing or supplying light.

radiate light

Focuses on the emission of light from a source.

be a beacon

Figurative use, implying guidance or hope.

elucidate

Shifts the meaning to 'make clear' or 'explain', figuratively using the concept of light.

FAQs

How can I use "give light" in a sentence?

You can use "give light" to describe something that illuminates a space, like "The lamp will give light to the room", or metaphorically, as in "Her explanation gave light to the confusing situation".

What are some alternatives to "give light"?

You can use alternatives like "provide illumination", "shed light on", or "cast light upon" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "gives light" instead of "give light"?

Yes, "gives light" is correct when the subject is singular (e.g., "The sun gives light"). "Give light" is used with plural subjects or in the imperative form (e.g., "They give light", "Give light to the world").

When should I use "shed light on" instead of "give light"?

Use "shed light on" when you want to emphasize clarification or explanation of a topic, whereas "give light" is better for describing the action of providing literal or figurative illumination. They are related but not always interchangeable.