with a beam of

USAGE SUMMARY

"with a beam of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a ray or stream of light or other energy. Example: The sun shone down on the lake, with a beam of golden light reflecting off the water's surface.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Researchers find a way to turn pain on, and off, with a beam of light.

MIT Technology Review

The beam of antiprotons was then collided with a beam of protons traveling in the opposite direction.

The New York Times - Science

The logo featured a pyramid with an all-seeing eye, like the one on the back of the dollar bill, scanning the earth with a beam of light.

The New York Times

Each is a battery-powered emitter that blocks off a doorway or archway with a beam of infrared light that the Roomba can't cross.

The New York Times - Tech

A second way to detect plastic mines by their explosive content is to "illuminate" the ground with a beam of low-energy x-rays.

MIT Technology Review

Hau and her group started with a beam of sodium atoms injected into a vacuum chamber and moving at speeds of more than a thousand miles an hour.

Harvard University

Macdonald is involved in a project, called Zero Knowledge Warhead Verification, that tackles this problem with a beam of light, a scrambler, and a detector.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the moment doctors "hope the patient doesn't move" as they zap cancerous tissue with a beam of radiation, says Gregg Favalora, the firm's founder.

The Economist

Neutron optics involves studying the interactions of matter with a beam of free neutrons, much as spectroscopy represents the interaction of matter with electromagnetic radiation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Physicists make superheavy elements by taking a target film of a heavy metal and bombarding it with a beam of lighter nuclei.

Science Magazine

Etna was 283 feet between perpendiculars, with a beam of 42 feet.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a beam of" to vividly describe illumination or the impact of focused energy, especially in scientific or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with a beam of" in contexts where literal light or energy beams are not involved. Overusing it metaphorically can weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a beam of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, describing the instrument or manner by which something is acted upon or characterized. Ludwig shows the phrase is commonly associated with actions involving light or other directed energy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a beam of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It is employed to describe actions performed using a focused ray of light or energy. The phrase appears across various domains, from scientific literature to general news, making it versatile for diverse writing needs. Use it to add precision to your descriptions, but be mindful of overusing it metaphorically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illuminated by a ray of

Focuses on the action of being lit by a ray, emphasizing the light source's effect.

lit by a beam of

Simplifies the phrase by using 'lit' instead of 'illuminated', offering a more direct description.

struck by a ray of

Implies a more forceful impact from the light, suggesting a direct and sudden effect.

touched by a beam of

Conveys a gentle or subtle interaction with the light, highlighting a delicate connection.

bathed in a beam of

Suggests being immersed in light, emphasizing a surrounding or enveloping effect.

exposed to a beam of

Highlights the state of being subjected to the light, focusing on the experience of receiving the beam.

under the influence of a beam of

Emphasizes the controlling or altering effect of the light, suggesting a transformative power.

subjected to a beam of

Similar to 'exposed to,' but can imply a more controlled or experimental situation.

affected by a beam of

A broader term indicating any kind of impact or change resulting from the light.

receiving a beam of

Focuses on the act of getting the light, indicating a passive or receptive state.

FAQs

How can I use "with a beam of" in a sentence?

Use "with a beam of" to describe something being illuminated or affected by a directed ray of light or energy. For example, "The scientist irradiated the sample "with a beam of" electrons."

What are some alternatives to "with a beam of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "illuminated by", "lit by", or "exposed to" when describing how something is affected by light or energy.

Is it correct to use "with a beam of" in a metaphorical sense?

While technically correct, using "with a beam of" metaphorically should be done sparingly to maintain its impact. Overuse can dilute its effectiveness and make your writing sound cliché.

What's the difference between "illuminated by" and "with a beam of"?

"Illuminated by" focuses on the result of being lit, while "with a beam of" emphasizes the source and directionality of the light. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the effect or the cause.