put on the light

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on the light" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to ask someone to turn on the light, usually in a room. For example: "It's dark in here; could you please put on the light?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I wanted to put on the light, but what if the light didn't come on?

The Guardian - Books

Why would a grown-up sensible woman want... Then she got up and put on the light, sat down at the dressing table and creamed her face, briskly and matter-of-factly, as if she'd forgotten to do it before she came to bed, working cream in with her fingertips against the downwards droop, concentrating angrily on her reflection.

The Guardian - Books

I would go anywhere Jews worked because on Fridays, they can't put on the light, the air conditioning, nothing.

Vice

Do not put on the light.

The Guardian - Books

At my bedroom I put on the light.

The Guardian - Books

The room was now quite dark, and Sendak put on the light.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I put on the lights, blew the fire into a blaze.

The Guardian - Books

"My job is to put on the lights," he said, exhaling with a deep measure of relief.

The New York Times

Dave told me that Domino the magpie can put on the lights or turn up the heating when instructed by him, the dogs and Coco the cat.

Vice

Immediately after turning off your alarm, go put on the lights in your room.

WikiHow

I remember waking up in the night, putting on the light and reading them again.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or giving directions, use "put on the light" to clearly indicate the action of turning on a light source to illuminate a space.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "put on the light" in descriptive passages can make the writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms or focusing on the effect of the light.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on the light" functions primarily as a phrasal verb indicating the action of activating a light source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common in everyday language. The examples show it used in both narrative and instructional contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put on the light" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that instructs or describes the action of activating a light source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for a broad range of contexts, from casual conversations to news reports. While highly versatile, be mindful of overuse in descriptive writing and consider incorporating synonyms such as "turn on the light" or "switch on the light" to enrich your writing. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switch on the light

Uses "switch on" instead of "put on", implying the same action of activating the light.

turn on the light

Replaces "put on" with "turn on", a very common synonym for activating a light.

activate the light

Uses a more technical term "activate" instead of the more casual "put on".

illuminate the room

Focuses on the effect of turning on the light, which is to make the room brighter.

power on the light

Emphasizes the action of supplying power to the light source.

flick on the light

Implies a quick, casual action of turning on the light.

enable the light

Uses the term enable, implying making the light functional or ready to use.

start the light

Suggests initiating the function of the light.

make the room brighter

Focuses on the outcome of turning on the light, rather than the action itself.

let there be light

A more dramatic and literary way to express turning on the light.

FAQs

What is another way to say "put on the light"?

You can use alternatives such as "switch on the light", "turn on the light", or "illuminate the room" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put on the lights"?

Yes, "put on the lights" is correct if you are referring to multiple light sources or a system of lights. The singular form, "put on the light", is used when referring to a single light source.

What's the difference between "put on the light" and "turn on the light"?

The phrases "put on the light" and "turn on the light" are largely interchangeable and mean the same thing: to activate a light source. The choice often comes down to personal preference or regional dialect.

How can I use "put on the light" in a sentence?

You can use "put on the light" in a sentence like this: "It's getting dark in here; can you please put on the light?"