struck by lightning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struck by lightning" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a person who has been directly hit by a lightning strike or to something that has been destroyed by a lightning strike. For example, "The town was devastated when their church was struck by lightning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One was struck by lightning.

The New York Times

People get struck by lightning?

Stanford University

"They would all be struck by lightning".

The New York Times

He'd felt he'd been struck by lightning.

The New York Times - Books

"Then we got struck by lightning.

The New York Times

The little girl is struck by lightning.

The New York Times

"That's waiting to be struck by lightning".

The New York Times

Being struck by lightning is more likely.

The New York Times

"It's like being struck by lightning," she said.

Columbia University

"It was like being struck by lightning," he said.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Magicka is depleted by the use of spells and by being struck by lightning-based attacks.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struck by lightning" figuratively, ensure the context clearly conveys a sudden, unexpected, and often impactful event or realization. For example, "The idea struck me like lightning."

Common error

Avoid using "struck by lightning" in contexts where the impact is gradual or predictable. The phrase implies suddenness; using it inappropriately weakens its effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck by lightning" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action (being struck) performed upon a subject (person, object, or even an abstract concept). As Ludwig shows, it indicates a sudden and often impactful event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struck by lightning" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase, widely used both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI underlines, it effectively conveys sudden and impactful events or realizations. While versatile across different registers, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its inherent sense of abruptness. Finally, Ludwig's extensive collection of examples provides invaluable insight into its diverse applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit by a lightning bolt

Replaces "struck" with "hit" and "lightning" with "lightning bolt", maintaining the literal meaning of being impacted by lightning.

felt like being struck by lightning

Adds the comparison element, similar to "It's like being struck by lightning", in the original search results.

affected by lightning

Uses "affected" instead of "struck", broadening the scope to include indirect impacts of lightning.

impacted by lightning

Employs "impacted", emphasizing the force and consequence of a lightning strike.

experienced a lightning strike

Changes the phrase to focus on the experience of a lightning strike, rather than the passive action of being struck.

touched by lightning

A more figurative and less common way to say it, but still conveys a sense of contact with lightning.

lightning struck

Uses the verb in active voice, instead of the passive form.

zapped by lightning

Uses a more informal term, "zapped", which implies a quick and energetic strike.

caught in a lightning storm

Shifts the focus to being within a dangerous lightning event, rather than a single strike.

electrocuted by lightning

Specifically refers to injury or death caused by electric shock from lightning.

FAQs

How can I use "struck by lightning" in a sentence?

You can use "struck by lightning" to describe someone or something literally hit by lightning, such as "The tree was struck by lightning and split in half". Figuratively, it can describe a sudden realization or event: "The solution struck me like lightning".

What does it mean when someone says they were "struck by lightning" figuratively?

Figuratively, "struck by lightning" suggests a sudden, unexpected, and often overwhelming experience or realization. It's used to emphasize the abruptness and intensity of the event, much like a real lightning strike.

Which is correct, "struck by lightning" or "hit by lightning"?

Both "struck by lightning" and "hit by lightning" are grammatically correct and convey essentially the same meaning. "Struck by lightning" may sound slightly more formal, but both are widely accepted.

What can I say instead of "struck by lightning" to describe a sudden idea?

For a sudden idea, you might use alternatives like "it dawned on me", "it hit me", or "I had an epiphany depending on the context".