thousands of lights

USAGE SUMMARY

"thousands of lights" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but typically refers to a large number of individual sources of light. Here is an example: "The night sky was illuminated by thousands of lights, twinkling like stars as the city buzzed with life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Thousands of lights.

The Washington Post

As the sun sets, thousands of lights on the gas plants light up.

The Guardian

The thousands of lights that illuminate on the hour every evening will also be modernised.

The Guardian

Thousands of lights in Lower Manhattan twinkled like constellations, and the glowing green Statue of Liberty waved goodbye as hordes of wine-buzzed, pastel-clad revelers raced for the last ferry home.

The New York Times

WHILE the Boathouse feels like an oasis inside the city, Tavern on the Green -- with its thousands of lights and its giant topiary, its elaborate glass chandeliers and enormous rococo murals -- feels like a place on another planet.

The New York Times - Travel

In humans, such a setup would require a pair of high-tech spectacles, embedded in which would be a tiny camera, an encoder chip to translate images from the camera into the retinal code, and a miniature array of thousands of lights.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The researchers found evidence of winds blowing hundreds of thousands of light years away from the host galaxy.

Yale University

It's spread out among all the constituents of the galaxy, across hundreds of thousands of light years.

Cornell University

Chandra can detect the X-rays from these halos because they are tens of thousands of light years across.

Harvard University

The black hole is spewing a jet of subatomic particles thousands of light years into space.

The New York Times - Science

These jets can move at nearly the speed of light in tight beams and can travel hundreds of thousands of light years.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing festive scenes or landscapes at night, use "thousands of lights" to vividly illustrate the visual impact of numerous light sources.

Common error

While appropriate for descriptive writing, avoid using "thousands of lights" in highly formal or technical reports where precise numerical data is expected. Consider using a more specific count if available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousands of lights" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a descriptive element within a sentence. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, providing information about the quantity and nature of the lights being referenced. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thousands of lights" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to vividly describe a scene illuminated by a large number of light sources. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Academia, serving to create a strong visual image for the audience. While versatile, it's best to consider the context and avoid overuse in situations requiring precise numerical data. Alternative phrases such as "a multitude of lights" or "countless lights" can add variety to your writing. Remember to maintain consistency in tone and style to ensure the best fit for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of lights

Replaces "thousands" with "a multitude", emphasizing a large quantity of lights.

numerous lights

Uses "numerous" to indicate a considerable number of lights.

innumerable lights

Replaces "thousands" with "innumerable", indicating lights that are too many to be counted.

countless lights

Substitutes "thousands" with "countless", suggesting an immense, uncountable number of lights.

myriad lights

Replaces "thousands" with "myriad", indicating a vast and diverse collection of lights.

masses of lights

Replaces "thousands" with "masses", focusing on the large quantity and density of lights.

a sea of lights

Uses a metaphorical comparison to a "sea", highlighting the extensive and overwhelming nature of the lights.

a host of lights

Uses "a host of" to convey a large gathering or collection of lights.

a galaxy of lights

Employs a metaphorical comparison to a "galaxy", suggesting a brilliant and widespread display of lights.

many lights

A simpler and more direct way to express the presence of a large quantity of lights.

FAQs

How can I use "thousands of lights" in a sentence?

You can use "thousands of lights" to describe a scene with a large number of light sources. For example, "The city skyline was adorned with "thousands of lights" during the holiday season".

What can I say instead of "thousands of lights"?

You can use alternatives like "a multitude of lights", "countless lights", or "myriad lights" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "thousands of lights" or "many lights"?

"Thousands of lights" is more emphatic and conveys a larger quantity than "many lights". The best choice depends on the desired level of intensity and detail in your description.

When is it appropriate to use "thousands of lights" in writing?

It is appropriate in descriptive writing, particularly when illustrating festive occasions, urban landscapes, or any scene where a large quantity of lights creates a significant visual impact. It can also be used in less formal contexts.