light of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "light of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you are referring to understanding or perspective, often in phrases like "in light of recent events." Example: "In light of the new evidence, we must reconsider our decision." Alternative expressions include "considering" and "in view of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Light of fire-flies.

The New Yorker

He is the light of our lives.

The New York Times

"The light of my life," JoAnn said.

The New Yorker

Takahashi, too, made light of the situation.

The New York Times - Sports

The light of the mind is red.

The New Yorker

Turner Inspired in the Light of Claude.

The New York Times - Arts

Light of our lives.

The New York Times

Light, of course.

The New York Times

The light of God?

The New Yorker

The light of the mind.

The New York Times - Books

The Official Light of Liberty".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In poetic or affectionate contexts, the phrase functions as a strong metaphor, such as "light of my life", to signify importance and inspiration.

Common error

Avoid using "in light of" when you simply mean "under the light". If you are standing beneath a lamp, use "in the light of the lamp". Reserve "in light of" for abstract circumstances and evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light of" primarily functions as a prepositional constituent that links the concept of illumination (physical or metaphorical) to its source. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used within the complex prepositional phrase "in light of", which acts as a logical connector. It also appears in verbal idioms like "make light of", where it modifies the verb's intent to indicate trivialization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "light of" is a robust and essential phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI data demonstrates its high frequency across the most reputable news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. It serves three distinct roles: as a literal descriptor of brightness, a metaphorical tool for affection or truth and a logical connector for reasoning. Whether you are using it to explain a decision "in light of new evidence" or to describe a "light of hope", it remains a clear and professional choice. Writers should be careful to distinguish between its literal and idiomatic uses to maintain the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in view of

More formal and often used specifically for logical reasoning or decision-making

given

A more concise way to introduce contextual information or constraints

considering

Active participle that implies a process of thought or evaluation

illumination from

More technical or literal, specifically referring to the source of brightness

glow of

Conveys a softer, warmer or more radiant type of light

on account of

Emphasizes causality rather than just the background context

brightness of

Focuses on the intensity or quality of the light rather than the source

glimmer of

Suggests a very small or faint amount of light or hope

manifestation of

A more abstract term for when light represents a deeper truth or presence

by virtue of

Suggests that something is true specifically because of the power or quality mentioned

FAQs

How do I use "light of" in a sentence?

You can use it literally as in "the "light of the moon"", or logically as in "In "light of recent events", we have changed our policy".

What is a more formal alternative for "in light of"?

A more formal and structurally sound alternative is "in view of" or simply "considering".

What does it mean to "make light of" something?

To "make light of" something means to treat a serious matter as if it were unimportant or humorous. You might say someone is "making light of the situation".

Can I say "given" instead of "in light of"?

Yes, "given" is a very common and efficient replacement when introducing a reason or context for a following statement.