lights went out

USAGE SUMMARY

"lights went out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which the lights suddenly stopped working. For example, "When the storm hit, the lights went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The lights went out.

The New York Times - Sports

Until the lights went out.

Independent

Then the lights went out.

The New York Times - Health

Suddenly, the lights went out.

The New Yorker

As he watched, the lights went out.

The New Yorker

At 11 p.m., the lights went out.

The New York Times

And then the lights went out.

The New York Times - Sports

Then lights went out — a louder kiss.

The New York Times

"Then — bam! — the lights went out".

The New Yorker

The lights went out for a day.

The Washington Post

An hour later, the lights went out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lights went out" to create a sense of suddenness or disruption in your writing. It's effective for setting a scene or creating suspense.

Common error

Avoid using "lights went out" interchangeably with phrases like "lights went off" which, while similar, can imply a deliberate action of switching off the lights, rather than an unexpected power loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lights went out" primarily functions as a statement describing a sudden cessation of illumination. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing a situation when lights suddenly stop working. It vividly portrays an abrupt change in lighting conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

15%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lights went out" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the sudden cessation of illumination, often due to a power failure. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Related phrases include "power failed" and "electricity cut off". When writing, it's best to use "lights went out" to emphasize suddenness or disruption. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "lights went out" and similar phrases like "lights went off". Top sources include The New York Times and BBC, attesting to its reliability and prevalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was a blackout

Uses a noun to describe the event of lights going out in a wider area.

power was lost

Simple way to indicate the loss of electricity.

power failed

Focuses on the cause (failure of power) rather than the effect (loss of light).

mains power failed

Specifies that it is the main power supply that failed.

electricity cut off

Highlights the interruption of the electrical supply.

power supply was interrupted

Focuses on the action taken upon the power supply, leading to the lights going out.

power outage occurred

More formal way to describe the loss of power.

the building went dark

Shifts focus from lights to the overall darkness experienced.

lights flickered and died

Adds a detail (flickering) to the description of lights ceasing to work.

illumination ceased

More formal and general way to describe lights no longer being on.

FAQs

How can I use "lights went out" in a sentence?

You can use "lights went out" to describe a sudden loss of power. For example, "During the storm, the "lights went out", and we were left in complete darkness."

What's a more formal way to say "lights went out"?

In a more formal context, you could say "there was a "power outage"" or "the "electricity failed"".

Is it correct to say "the lights went off" instead of "the lights went out"?

While "lights went off" is commonly used and understood, ""lights went out"" often implies a more sudden or unexpected loss of power. "Lights went off" can suggest a deliberate action.

What caused the "lights went out" in the examples provided?

Based on the examples, various events can cause the ""lights went out"", including storms, accidents, or general power failures.