lightning upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lightning upon" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect or awkward.
It could be used in a poetic or metaphorical context to describe something striking or occurring suddenly, but it is not standard. Example: "The storm seemed to bring lightning upon the landscape, illuminating the night sky."

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He hurled the lightning upon the earth and unleashed the devastating hurricanes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Cymbeline, another late play, requires the god Jupiter to "descend in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle" and then – somehow – throw a thunderbolt.

The Guardian

"Cymbeline," whose plot was memorably characterized by Dr. Johnson as "unresisting imbecility" marked by "the impossibility of the events in any system of life," caps its absurdities with the rhyming apparition of the hero's dead parents and brothers, and the descent of Jupiter "in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle".

The New Yorker

He was the star correspondent for the Red Army, and his dispatches for the newspaper Red Star documented with thrilling immediacy the Nazi lightning attack upon the U.S.S.R., the decisive reversal at Stalingrad, and the Soviet's slow, bloody bulldozer-march to the German capital.

The New Yorker

He sends his friends in England a dissertation entitled "An Experiment on the Effects of Violent Lightning Bolts Upon a Specimen of Lepidoptera".

Forbes

In Cymbeline, for example, Jupiter descends "in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle: he throws a thunderbolt.

Wikipedia

Or "a lone tree burning on a desert" circled round by every poisonous thing, and "the strange coral shapes of fulgurite in their scorched furrows fused out of the sand where ball lightning had run upon the ground in the night hissing and stinking of sulphur".

The Guardian - Books

The curtain reveals thunder, lightning, pouring down upon New York City, alleviating summer's last gasp.

Huffington Post

There was lightning out, and upon its glare I perceived what seemed to be a flattened lake where there once was a road, trees, houses, an entire neighborhood.

Huffington Post

In the early years of conquest, encomienda rights effectively meant rights to pillage and round up slaves, usually in the form of a group of mounted conquistadores launching a lightning slave raid upon an unsuspecting population centre.

Wikipedia

He was picking up some organic feed for his hens from Mr. Earnhart's farm, Lightning Tree, when he came upon a barrel of flour that Mr. Earnhart had made with a small mill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and direct alternatives like "struck by lightning" or "hit with lightning" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lightning upon" in contexts where a more straightforward and modern expression would be clearer and more effective. It can sound overly dramatic or antiquated if not used carefully.

Linguistic Context

Prepositional Phrase: The phrase "lightning upon" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify a verb or noun, indicating the direction or target of the lightning's action. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing impactful or sudden events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lightning upon" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent prepositional phrase used to describe a sudden and forceful impact, similar to lightning striking. While understandable, Ludwig AI suggests it may sound somewhat archaic or awkward to modern ears, recommending more common alternatives such as "struck by lightning" or "hit with lightning". Predominantly found in news media and encyclopedic sources, its use adds a dramatic or emphatic tone to descriptions. Consider using it sparingly and opting for more direct language in most contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struck by lightning

Focuses on the event of being hit by lightning.

attacked by lightning

Emphasizes the aggressive impact of lightning.

hit with lightning

Describes a direct impact by lightning.

lightning strikes

Highlights the act of lightning impacting something.

lightning descends

Suggests a downward movement of lightning.

lightning flashes

Focuses on the visual aspect of lightning.

lightning illuminates

Emphasizes the illuminating effect of lightning.

lightning ignites

Highlights the potential for lightning to cause fire.

lightning bursts

Suggests an explosive impact of lightning.

lightning appears

Focuses on the sudden emergence of lightning.

FAQs

What does "lightning upon" mean?

The phrase "lightning upon" suggests a sudden and forceful impact or occurrence, similar to lightning striking something. It's often used in a metaphorical or descriptive sense to emphasize the intensity and immediacy of an event.

How can I use "lightning upon" in a sentence?

While not very common, you can use "lightning upon" to describe something striking with sudden force. For example: "The god hurled the lightning upon the earth."

What are some alternatives to "lightning upon"?

You can use alternatives like "struck by lightning", "hit with lightning", or "attacked by lightning" depending on the context.

Is "lightning upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lightning upon" is grammatically acceptable, but it's not a commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI suggests it may sound awkward to some and prefers more common alternatives.