sunbeams

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sunbeams" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe rays of sunlight, often in a poetic or descriptive context. Example: "The sunbeams filtered through the leaves, creating a beautiful pattern on the forest floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One scientist has spent eight years attempting to extract sunbeams from cucumbers.

The Economist

Intermittently warmed by paragraph-long sunbeams of iridescent prose-poetry, yes.

The Economist

"Flying on sunbeams", he liked to call it.

The Economist

Perhaps the European Parliament is not up to the job just as cucumbers are not a good source of sunbeams.

The Economist

In recent years fluorescent strip lights have replaced the 104 cone-shaped skylights that once let shafts of ethereal sunbeams into the gloom.But the mason's art is under threat.

The Economist

Although he satirizes the society, science in general, and its hackneyed experiments, such as trying to extract sunbeams from a cucumber, it's the very discussion of science's role in human life that remained important for the future of the science fiction genre.

Britannica

It's a charge that certainly sticks to such songs as "Sunbeams and Some Beans".

Independent

Through the narrator's opaque musings, we learn that his name is "the same word as for sunbeams, as for winged and boneless sharks" and that his father, a major presence in the novel, has died 18 months earlier.

Independent

That optimism translated, in rug form, as garish sunbeams emanating from the presidential seal.

Independent

Apart from signalling change, what should Obama's choice say about him (and will he find anything swept under Bush's sunbeams)?

Independent

Initially under the influence of such masters of Ukiyo-e (paintings and wood-block prints of the "floating world") as Andō Hiroshige (1797 1858) and Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 1861), he later produced prints adopting various Western techniques, which he named kōsen-ga, or "pictures of sunbeams".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sunbeams" to evoke a sense of warmth, hope, or beauty in your writing. It's particularly effective in descriptive passages and poetry.

Common error

Avoid using "sunbeams" in purely technical or scientific writing where a more precise term like "solar radiation" or "light waves" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sunbeams" primarily functions as a noun, often used in the plural form to describe multiple rays of sunlight. Ludwig examples show it commonly used in descriptive contexts, adding imagery to scenes. Its usage is supported by Ludwig AI as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sunbeams" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily functioning to evoke warmth, beauty, and optimism. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and its register is neutral. While perfectly acceptable, consider context when using it: technical writing might benefit from more precise language. Explore related phrases like ""rays of sunlight"" or ""shafts of light"" for subtle variations in meaning. By avoiding overuse in technical contexts and leveraging its descriptive power, writers can effectively utilize "sunbeams" to enhance their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beams of sunshine

Similar to "sunbeams", but with a slightly different emphasis.

sun's rays

A more direct way to refer to sunlight.

rays of sunlight

Focuses on the literal aspect of sunlight.

sunlight streaming

Focuses on the movement of sunlight.

shafts of light

Emphasizes the form and direction of light.

golden rays

Highlights the color and warmth of sunlight.

streaks of light

Describes the appearance of light in a specific pattern.

dappled sunlight

Describes sunlight that is broken up by leaves or other objects.

radiant light

Highlights the intensity and brightness of light.

glimmers of hope

Metaphorically uses light to represent hope.

FAQs

How can I use "sunbeams" in a sentence?

"Sunbeams" is often used to describe rays of sunlight in a descriptive or poetic way. For example, "The "sunbeams" filtered through the clouds, creating a beautiful scene."

What are some synonyms for "sunbeams"?

Alternatives to "sunbeams" include "rays of sunlight", "shafts of light", or "beams of sunshine".

Is it appropriate to use "sunbeams" in formal writing?

While "sunbeams" is generally acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal or scientific writing, terms like "solar radiation" might be more suitable. However, in descriptive or creative writing, "sunbeams" can add a touch of warmth and imagery.

What does it mean to extract "sunbeams" from cucumbers?

The phrase "extracting "sunbeams" from cucumbers" is a satirical reference, notably used in Gulliver's Travels, to mock futile or absurd scientific endeavors.