shine out

USAGE SUMMARY

'shine out' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in the context of expressing how something or someone is standing out or shining brighter than the rest. Example: Her bright smile shone out among the crowd of people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two depressing facts also shine out.

The Economist

These moments shine out in a solid, often staid production.

The Guardian

A terrific performer may shine out from a dull piece.

The New York Times

But Kay was all about letting it shine out and I had never looked better".

Independent

Their self-confidence, cheek and enjoyment of privilege shine out in a joint biography.

The New York Times

"The question is how do we shine out as models?" Want your say?

The Guardian

We need to think more and hard about this case for which no sure and clear answers shine out today.

The New York Times

The child-bride's bewitching features shine out from several paintings, including Watts' transcendent "painted parable" Love and Life.

The Guardian - Arts

This is the time for those occasionally anonymous little trees, scattered around, to really shine out amongst the rest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two things especially shine out of this production, even in the dark: Beckett's profound Irishness and unshakeable Protestantism.

The Guardian

It has built a reputation for scrabbling through the dust of history to let the talented forgotten shine out.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shine out" to describe something that is not only bright but also noticeable or prominent within its environment. For example, "Her talent shone out during the competition."

Common error

While "shine out" is widely accepted, overuse in formal writing can make the tone seem less professional. Consider stronger, more precise verbs like "excel", "distinguish", or "become prominent" in business or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shine out" is that of an intransitive phrasal verb. It describes something or someone emitting light, qualities, or standing out prominently. Ludwig AI validates its use across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shine out" is a versatile phrasal verb that signifies prominence, radiance, or distinction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news, media, and informal contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "stand out" or "be prominent", understanding subtle nuances ensures precise communication. While not incorrect, avoid using "shine out" excessively in highly formal texts. The expression enjoys frequent use across numerous authoritative sources. Its overall frequency is classified as "very common" based on the high volume of examples found by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stand out

Focuses more on prominence and distinctiveness compared to "shine out".

radiate

Emphasizes the outward emission of light, qualities, or emotions.

gleam

Suggests a soft, reflected light, different from the more intense "shine out".

sparkle

Implies a lively, twinkling light, unlike the steadier glow of "shine out".

emanate

Highlights the origin of something spreading outwards.

excel

Indicates surpassing others in performance or quality.

distinguish oneself

Focuses on the act of making oneself noticeable or different.

be prominent

Highlights visibility and importance.

glow

Suggests a warm, diffused light, in contrast to the sharper "shine out".

outshine

Emphasizes surpassing others in brightness or excellence.

FAQs

How can I use "shine out" in a sentence?

"Shine out" is a phrasal verb that means to be very noticeable or prominent. For example, "Her confidence "shone out" during the presentation."

What's a good alternative to "shine out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "stand out", "be prominent", or "excel".

Is it correct to say "shined out" instead of "shone out"?

While "shined" can be a past tense of "shine", in the context of "shine out", the past tense is typically "shone out". "Shined" might be used in other contexts, such as "He shined his shoes".

What's the difference between "shine out" and "outshine"?

"Shine out" means to be noticeable or prominent, while "outshine" means to surpass others in brightness or excellence. They both involve brightness, but "outshine" has a competitive connotation.