the light is extinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the light is extinguished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that a light source has been turned off or has gone out, often in a metaphorical or dramatic sense. Example: "As the final act concluded, the light is extinguished, leaving the audience in darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The light is extinguished when a fold of black skin is drawn upward over the organ.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sweden had been "a light in the darkness this autumn", said the Left party leader, Jonas Sjöstedt, "but today the light was extinguished".

The Guardian

Also, through choice of appropriate monomers, the dark polymerization studies were performed such that the polymerization rate was approximately the same at the point the light was extinguished for all these monomers.

Polymer

It's true the light was extinguished for generations in Spain.

Huffington Post

In the following tasks, stimulus times are given as the maximum duration of key illumination possible; if the bird pecked earlier, the light was extinguished immediately and the trial progressed.

Animal Behaviour

A trial started when the center hole light was illuminated, signaling the rat to make a nose-poke response and sustain it for 500 ms. Once a nose-poke response had been sustained for 500 ms in the center hole, the light was extinguished.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

In my father's childhood, Armenians gathered for Easter at the Chaldean Catholic Church; they stayed past midnight on Holy Thursday, and at the ceremony's climax the lights were extinguished and hymns resounded in the dark.

The New Yorker

The lights are extinguished and we are suddenly as much in the dark as the woman in Not I, who is reduced merely to a mouth; or May in Footfalls, who constantly paces but never arrives anywhere; or the elderly woman in Rockaby who faces death having never found another person with whom she can communicate.

The Guardian

For a finale, to the close the Games, the lights were extinguished and a 20-minute fireworks display lit up the night sky.

Wikipedia

All color drips away, erasing the horizon and the lights are extinguished as you climb to cruise between stars and fields.

HuffPost

n In the vestry of a New England church:Will the last person to leave please see that the perpetual light is extinguished.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the light is extinguished" when you want to add a touch of formality or drama to the statement that a light has gone out. It's particularly effective in metaphorical contexts, such as describing the end of hope or inspiration.

Common error

Avoid using "the light is extinguished" in everyday situations where simpler phrases like "the light went out" or "the light's off" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the light is extinguished" functions primarily as a statement, indicating the cessation of light. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. The noun "light" acts as the subject, with "is extinguished" serving as the predicate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the light is extinguished" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the cessation of light, often carrying a metaphorical weight. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its use is relatively rare and tends toward more formal contexts. The phrase is versatile, appearing in news, science, and formal business writing, and it can evoke a sense of finality or loss. When considering alternatives, simpler phrases like "the light goes out" may be more appropriate for casual settings. While correct, its best to consider the context when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the light goes out

Replaces "is extinguished" with a simpler verb phrase, maintaining the sense of cessation.

the light fades

Emphasizes a gradual loss of light rather than a sudden end.

the flame dies out

Uses a metaphorical "flame" to represent light or hope, and "dies out" for extinguishing.

darkness falls

Shifts focus to the emergence of darkness as the light disappears.

the illumination ceases

Replaces "light" with "illumination" and "is extinguished" with the formal "ceases".

the beacon is gone

Uses "beacon" as a metaphor for light and indicates its absence.

the glow disappears

Focuses on the vanishing of a gentle light or "glow".

the lamp is put out

Uses a more literal image of a lamp being extinguished.

the sun sets

References the daily disappearance of sunlight, using "sun sets".

the stars disappear

Indicates the absence of light from stars, suggesting a broader darkness.

FAQs

What does "the light is extinguished" mean?

The phrase "the light is extinguished" means that a source of light has been put out or has ceased to shine. It is often used metaphorically to describe the end of something positive, such as hope or inspiration.

What can I say instead of "the light is extinguished"?

You can use alternatives like "the light goes out", "the light fades", or "the flame dies out" depending on the context.

Is "the light is extinguished" formal or informal?

The phrase "the light is extinguished" leans towards the formal side. Simpler alternatives like "the light went out" are more appropriate for informal settings.

How can "the light is extinguished" be used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "the light is extinguished" can describe the loss of something precious or the end of a positive period. For instance, it could refer to the end of hope, the cessation of creativity, or the death of a person who brought joy to others.