light in the night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "light in the night" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that provides illumination or hope during dark times or situations, both literally and metaphorically. Example: "The lighthouse served as a light in the night for the lost sailors, guiding them safely to shore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But today I want to tell you about a spot of light in the night.

The New York Times

They used to give us light in the night and water.

The Guardian

The second time, minor is flecked by major, creating the effect of a light in the night.

The New Yorker

The introduction of LED lighting in the outdoor environment may increase the amount of blue light in the night sky color spectrum.

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

Are all of the points of light in the night sky, other than the moon, planets, and artificial satellites, that we call stars also suns?

Cornell University

Zodiacal light, band of light in the night sky, thought to be sunlight reflected from cometary dust concentrated in the plane of the zodiac, or ecliptic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Light in the morning advances our internal clock, making us more lark-like, while light at night delays the clock, making us more owlish.

BBC

It emits blue lights in the morning and orange light in the evening.

The Washington Post

In contrast, BDST performance deteriorated slightly under bright light in the afternoon.

Behavioural Brain Research

Parrots leave the roost-site at first light in the morning.

Cornell University

Expose your teen to lots of bright light in the morning.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "light in the night" to poetically describe something or someone that offers guidance or hope during a challenging or dark period. This phrase can add a touch of imagery to your writing and make it more evocative.

Common error

Avoid using "light in the night" in technical or scientific writing where literal descriptions or precise terminology are expected. Opt for more specific and descriptive language suitable for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light in the night" functions primarily as a metaphorical expression, often acting as a noun phrase that symbolizes hope, guidance, or clarity during challenging times. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "light in the night" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that serves as a metaphor for hope and guidance during dark or challenging times. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it’s best used in contexts where evocative imagery is valued. Its presence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beacon in the darkness

This alternative emphasizes the guiding and warning aspect of light during a metaphorical dark period.

illumination in the darkness

Replaces "light" with "illumination" to give a more formal or intensified sense of brightness overcoming darkness.

guiding light in the darkness

Highlights the aspect of guidance, emphasizing its importance in a dark or confusing situation.

ray of hope in the night

Shifts the focus from literal light to the metaphorical aspect of hope during a difficult time.

spark of hope in the darkness

Indicates a small but significant sign of hope during a dark period.

glimmer of light in the darkness

Emphasizes the faintness or subtlety of light present during a time of darkness.

a source of comfort in the night

Focuses on emotional or psychological support provided during a difficult time instead of literal light.

hope amidst despair

Completely shifts the metaphor to a general concept of hope during despair, losing the direct connection to light.

a promise of dawn

Evokes the image of the upcoming morning after a dark night, suggesting eventual resolution.

a sign of better times

Broadens the scope to generally indicate that something good is on the horizon.

FAQs

How can I use "light in the night" in a sentence?

You can use "light in the night" metaphorically to describe something that provides hope or guidance during difficult times. For example: "Her kindness was a "light in the night" for those who had lost everything."

What can I say instead of "light in the night"?

You can use alternatives like "beacon in the darkness", "illumination in the darkness", or "guiding light in the darkness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "light in the night" and "light in the darkness"?

"Light in the night" typically refers to something that literally shines during nighttime or figuratively guides through a challenging period. "Light in the darkness" is usually a more metaphorical expression, emphasizing overcoming hardship or despair.

Is "light in the night" a common expression?

According to Ludwig, "light in the night" is a "common expression", appearing in various sources, including news, science, and academic publications.