What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
beam
Example
The lighthouse beam guided ships safely through the dark night. [beam: noun]
Example
She beamed with pride as she received her award. [beamed: past tense verb]
ray
Example
The sun's rays warmed their skin as they lay on the beach. [rays: plural noun]
Example
He felt a ray of hope after receiving good news. [ray: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ray is more commonly used than beam in everyday language. Ray is versatile and can be used to describe various situations and emotions, while beam is more specific and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between beam and ray?
While beam is typically associated with a more technical or formal tone, ray is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
