lighting up

USAGE SUMMARY

"lighting up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of illuminating or brightening an area, or to refer to the action of turning on lights. Example: The city skyline was beautiful at night, with all the buildings lighting up the sky. Example: She walked into the room and immediately started lighting up the space with her contagious energy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Things were lighting up".

The New Yorker

"They are lighting up everything," he said.

The New York Times

She smiled, her eyes lighting up mischievously.

The New York Times

Lighting up, I asked him how he'd done it.

The New York Times

Children are increasingly censorious when it comes to lighting up.

The Economist

"Absolutely not," he said, his face lighting up with pleasure.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Mostly, it lights up.

The New Yorker

His eyes light up".

The New York Times - Sports

Her eyes lit up.

The New York Times - Sports

His phone lit up again.

The New Yorker

The phone lit up again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lighting up" to describe a person's expression, ensure the context clearly indicates happiness, excitement, or recognition. For instance, "Her eyes were lighting up as she spoke about her achievements."

Common error

Avoid using "lighting up" in contexts where literal illumination is expected but not present. For example, saying "The room was lighting up with anticipation" might be confusing if no physical lights are involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lighting up" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used in the present participle form to describe an ongoing action. It can denote the literal act of illuminating something or the figurative act of becoming animated or expressive, as seen in Ludwig's examples of "eyes lighting up" or "lighting up the scoreboard."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Arts

12%

Sports

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lighting up" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to describe the act of illuminating something, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "illuminating" or "igniting" may be more precise in certain situations, "lighting up" remains a widely accepted and understood expression. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and choose the alternative that best suits your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illuminating

Focuses on the act of providing light or making something brighter.

firing up

Suggests starting or activating something, often with enthusiasm.

brightening

Highlights the effect of making something lighter or more cheerful.

igniting

Emphasizes the act of setting something on fire or starting a flame.

sparking

Implies creating a sudden burst of energy or excitement.

switching on

Specifically refers to turning on a light or device.

kindling

Suggests the start of something, like a fire or an idea.

setting ablaze

Emphasizes the act of causing something to burn intensely.

enlightening

Refers to providing knowledge or understanding.

glowing

Describes a soft, radiant light or a feeling of warmth and happiness.

FAQs

How can I use "lighting up" in a sentence?

You can use "lighting up" to describe something becoming illuminated, like "The city was "illuminating" at dusk", or to describe someone's expression, such as "Her face was "radiant" with joy".

What are some alternatives to "lighting up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "illuminating", "igniting", "brightening", or "sparking".

Is it correct to use "lighting up" to describe emotions?

Yes, it is correct. "Lighting up" can be used figuratively to describe someone's face or eyes "radiant" or expressive with a particular emotion, such as joy or excitement.

Can "lighting up" refer to something other than physical light?

Yes, "lighting up" can also refer to "igniting" a cigarette or other smoking device, or to something becoming more active or vibrant.