What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
light
Example
The sun provides light during the day. [light: noun]
Example
She turned on the light to read her book. [light: noun]
shine
Example
The stars shone brightly in the night sky. [shone: past tense verb]
Example
The silverware shone after being polished. [shone: past participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Light is a more common word than shine and is used in a wider range of contexts. Shine is more often used figuratively to describe excellence or achievement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between light and shine?
Both light and shine are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
