piece of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "piece of light" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing light in a metaphorical or literal sense, such as in poetry or descriptive writing. For example: "She felt a piece of light enter her heart as she listened to the music." Alternative expressions include "beam of light" and "ray of light."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Consider an ant walking on the page to be a photon (a piece of light).

Cornell University

Fold a large, 7.5″ x 28″ piece of light blue poster board in half.

Princeton University

Cut a piece of light blue poster board to fit the back section of the box.

Princeton University

For one thing I can never remember how far a piece of light travels per second.

The New York Times

Mr. Updike, as verbally charismatic as ever, compares one notion of reality to "a piece of light verse".

The New York Times - Books

He satirized himself, gently but tellingly, in a piece of light verse: How unpleasant to meet Mr. Eliot!

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A bit more tender is "Curtains," a wavering stripe bleached down the center of a piece of light-damaged canvas.

The New York Times - Arts

To make these pictures -- photograms -- I took the bags into my darkroom and gently dropped them between my enlarger's lens and a piece of light-sensitive paper.

The New York Times

If clothes can make you feel a certain way, so can a house, so can a light, a piece of lighting, so can an environment that is created.

Independent

Instead of tossing them, turn them into a conversational piece of lighting brilliance in your foyer or in any location that could use a bit of luminosity.

Huffington Post

"Bird Cloud" has too many precious lines like, "I wanted interesting pieces of light," and: "Books are very important to me.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piece of light" when you want to emphasize a small, distinct portion or fragment of light, rather than a continuous beam or source. It often conveys a sense of something delicate or ethereal.

Common error

Avoid using "piece of light" in technical or scientific writing where precise terminology like "photon" or "light wave" is more appropriate. "Piece of light" is better suited for descriptive or metaphorical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of light" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is generally grammatically correct. It denotes a fragment or portion of light, either literally or metaphorically, drawing from varied sources, including academic, media, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

26%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piece of light" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to a fragment or portion of light. It's commonly used in descriptive and metaphorical contexts, as Ludwig has confirmed. While suitable for both informal and neutral registers, it is best to avoid it in technical or scientific writing. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in news, academic, and general articles, serving to evoke imagery or represent abstract concepts like hope and inspiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ray of light

Emphasizes the linear nature and direction of the light.

beam of light

Highlights the focused and concentrated nature of the light.

shaft of light

Similar to beam, but can imply a more vertical or downward direction.

glimmer of light

Implies a small amount of light, often faint or fleeting.

spark of light

Emphasizes a sudden, brief burst of light.

source of light

Focuses on the origin or generator of the light.

patch of light

Refers to a defined area illuminated by light.

fleck of light

Indicates a tiny or very small area of light.

streak of light

Suggests a long, thin line of light.

wave of light

Suggests a moving expansion of light.

FAQs

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

You can use "piece of light" to describe a fragment or portion of light, such as "A "piece of light" peeked through the clouds" or "She carried a "piece of light" in her heart".

What's a good alternative to "piece of light"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "ray of light", "beam of light", or "shaft of light".

Is "piece of light" a metaphor?

While ""piece of light"" can be used literally, it's often employed metaphorically to represent hope, knowledge, or inspiration.

When is it appropriate to use "piece of light" instead of "light"?

Use ""piece of light"" when you want to emphasize a specific, perhaps small or distinct, part of the overall light, rather than the general concept of illumination. For example you may say a piece of information instead of just information.