period of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "period of light" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific duration characterized by light, such as daylight or illumination in a particular context. Example: "During the period of light, the plants thrived and grew rapidly, soaking up the sun's energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

If we assume these quasi-periodic variations are caused by the rotation of the star, the amplitude and period of light variations correspond to the area of starspots and the rotation period (Notsu et al. 2013b).

Earth, Planets and Space

A day is a period of light, an astronomical event.

The New York Times

5.01pm BST THE VOICE OF WIMBLEDON "This period of light rain is expected to last for another 30 minutes".

The Guardian - Sport

After another period of light rain Friday, it is not out of the question that some blossoms will remain in bloom next weekend.

The Washington Post

During the period of "Light" and after, Mr. Stockhausen was venerated within his own circle of performers and family members (often the same people) but largely ignored outside it.

The New York Times - Arts

His 1970 album, "Sugar," made with George Benson, was his biggest hit and was his springboard into a long period of light pop-jazz, the antecedent for today's smooth jazz.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

As Henning pointed out, much of the – admitted and alleged – misconduct at Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered happened during this envied period of "light-touch" regulation.

The Guardian - Business

For example, Fig. 7f shows a typical case of "cold air advection" when a northerly or northwesterly wind from the Siberian continent is dominant in the study area throughout the entire period of lighting activity.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

In human, the period of light-dark cycle is a dominant environmental synchronizer to entrainment of the circadian rhythms 2 but the mother infant interactions and household's social routine remain as nonphotic synchronizer factors.

Clinical Endocrinology

In another category, "occulting" lights are normally on and momentarily extinguished, with short eclipses interrupting longer periods of light.

Britannica

The Capital Weather Gang forecasts: "Constant cloudiness and colder weather are punctuated by periods of light to sometimes moderate rain.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific experiments or observations, use "period of light" to clearly indicate a specific duration where light is present or applied.

Common error

Avoid using "period of light" interchangeably with "daytime" in contexts where the light source is artificial or specifically controlled, like in laboratory settings. "Daytime" implies natural sunlight, while "period of light" is more general.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "period of light" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As exemplified in Ludwig's examples, it describes a defined duration characterized by the presence of light, whether natural or artificial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "period of light" is a grammatically sound noun phrase primarily used to describe a specific duration marked by light. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, serving a descriptive or informative purpose. While not overly formal, it is more prevalent in professional and technical writing than in casual conversation. The phrase is approved by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duration of illumination

Focuses on the act of providing light for a specific time.

time of light exposure

Highlights the event of being subjected to light.

interval of light

Emphasizes a break or space marked by light.

phase of illumination

Suggests a stage or part of a larger process involving light.

spell of light

Implies a continuous, but possibly brief, period of light.

stretch of daylight

Specifically refers to natural light during the day.

daylight hours

A common way to refer to the period when the sun is above the horizon.

era of lighting

Implies a longer, significant time defined by the use of artificial light.

epoch of luminescence

More formal and scientific term for a period characterized by emitted light.

term of brightness

Focuses on the quality of brightness during a specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "period of light" in a sentence?

You can use "period of light" to describe a specific duration characterized by light, such as in scientific experiments: "The plants were exposed to a 12-hour "period of light" and a 12-hour period of darkness."

What are some alternatives to "period of light"?

Alternatives include "duration of illumination", "time of light exposure", or "interval of light", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "period of light" the same as "daytime"?

While both refer to times when light is present, "period of light" is a more general term that can apply to artificial light or controlled lighting conditions, whereas "daytime" specifically refers to the hours when the sun is above the horizon.

When is it appropriate to use "period of light" instead of a more common term like "day"?

"Period of light" is particularly useful in technical or scientific contexts where the duration and source of light are specifically controlled and measured. In contrast, "day" is a more general term for the time between sunrise and sunset.