spark of insight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spark of insight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment of sudden understanding or realization, often in a creative or intellectual context. Example: "After hours of brainstorming, she finally had a spark of insight that led to a breakthrough in her research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When Clark suggests what we should do for impoverished coffee growers, he does so with the same spark of insight about market freedoms that must have once flashed upon the young Adam Smith: "Demand the best-tasting coffee you can get".

The New York Times - Books

Don't worry, he or she will, as I have found that meditation may actually open a door and create a spark of insight in anyone, especially children.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As it turned out, the intensity of his inner struggle galvanized his genius and threw off sparks of insight and prophecy.

The New York Times - Books

Jobs, the Apple visionary who died in 2011 at age 56, delivered a speech that resonated far beyond the Stanford audience, with a masterful mix of personal anecdotes, sparks of insight and universally applicable pieces of wisdom.

Huffington Post

Lacking any consistent look, the portraits adapt Venetian styles with antic originality — one tour de force after another, striking the odd spark of psychological insight but conveying little sense of everyday social engagement.

The New Yorker

In purportedly morally mature mystical people who have developed this capacity through daily contemplation or meditation combined with selfless service to others, critical conscience can be aided by a "spark" of intuitive insight or revelation (called marifa in Islamic Sufi philosophy and synderesis in medieval Christian scholastic moral philosophy).

Wikipedia

These workers are actually pushed to take regular breaks, as time away from a problem can help spark a moment of insight.

The Economist

Mr. Anderson, the director of "Rushmore," has made a movie that the precocious adolescent hero of that film might have made: show-offy, self-impressed, but with sparks of undeniable insight and ingenuity.

The New York Times

Mr. Anderson, the director of "Rushmore," has made a movie that the precocious adolescent hero of that film might have made: showoffy and self-impressed but with sparks of undeniable insight and ingenuity.

The New York Times

Why you should listen: Guitar-pop band Best Coast have never quite managed to top the giddy, diary-entry intimacy of their 2010 debut, but for those still listening, there are sparks of lyrical insight and sunny refrains.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Anderson, the director of "Rushmore," has made a movie that the precocious adolescent hero of that film might have made: showoffy, self-impressed, but with sparks of undeniable insight and ingenuity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spark of insight" when you want to convey a sudden, often unexpected, moment of understanding or inspiration. It's suitable for describing both personal realizations and broader breakthroughs.

Common error

Avoid using "spark of insight" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "flash of understanding" or "moment of clarity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spark of insight" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a sudden moment of understanding or inspiration. Examples show it used to describe breakthroughs and personal realizations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spark of insight" is a noun phrase denoting a sudden moment of understanding or inspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Though relatively rare, it finds its place in diverse contexts, primarily news and media, but also within scientific writing. For alternative expressions, consider options like "flash of understanding" or "moment of clarity". When employing this phrase, strive for contextual relevance to amplify its effect and prevent overuse. The examples provided by Ludwig show the versatility of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Flash of understanding

Emphasizes the sudden and immediate nature of comprehension.

Moment of clarity

Highlights the feeling of clear and focused understanding.

Sudden realization

Focuses on the abruptness of becoming aware of something.

Brainwave

Implies a sudden, creative idea or solution.

Eureka moment

Refers to a triumphant discovery or realization.

Aha moment

An informal expression for a sudden insight or discovery.

Intuitive leap

Highlights the role of intuition in gaining insight.

Inspiration strikes

Emphasizes the external source of the idea or insight.

Epiphany

Suggests a profound and life-changing realization.

Breakthrough idea

Focuses on the innovative and transformative nature of the insight.

FAQs

How can I use "spark of insight" in a sentence?

You can use "spark of insight" to describe a moment of sudden understanding or inspiration, for example: "After hours of research, she experienced a "spark of insight" that led to a major discovery."

What are some alternatives to "spark of insight"?

Alternatives to "spark of insight" include "flash of understanding", "moment of clarity", or "sudden realization". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "spark of insight" formal or informal?

"Spark of insight" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical, it conveys a clear and universally understood concept.

What's the difference between "spark of insight" and "glimmer of hope"?

"Spark of insight" refers to a sudden understanding or realization, while "glimmer of hope" refers to a small sign of optimism or possibility in a difficult situation. They describe different types of experiences and shouldn't be used interchangeably.