a general murmur of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general murmur of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collective, indistinct sound or expression of agreement, discontent, or other sentiments among a group of people. Example: "As the speaker began to address the crowd, a general murmur of approval spread through the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There was a general murmur of discontent.

The New Yorker

There was a general murmur of assent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pointing to the cover, she said "We are not falling out, we are not melting down"…winning a general murmur of approval from the floor.

The Economist

(There may, however, be a general murmur of agreement). But in academia, Freidel apparently comes across like a missionary spreading the long-awaited gospel.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A general murmur rose.

The New Yorker

On the outside, the cab had a microphone that recored the sounds of the streets buses breaking (which gave a heavy, alarming bass sound), cars screeching, and the general murmur of a city going about its daily slug.

Vice

For those who examine and directly support innovation in the healthcare sector, this announcement was met with general murmurs of approval.

The Guardian

There are general murmurs of happiness in reference to full-time bitch Kristen's departure, but this small joy is overshadowed by the general sadness pervading the house.

Huffington Post

When the room suddenly turned pitch black, there was a louche murmur of general approval.

BBC

"We call this 'crackpot science.' " But amid the criticism is a persistent murmur of curiosity from general readers and scientists alike.

Los Angeles Times

General murmurs and head shaking.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a general murmur of" to subtly convey a shared sentiment or reaction within a group, rather than explicitly stating each individual's feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "a general murmur of" excessively in dialogue-heavy scenes, as it can become repetitive and detract from the individual voices of the characters. Instead, vary your descriptions of collective reactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general murmur of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a collective, low-level sound or expression shared by a group, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples showing its use to depict reactions in various settings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general murmur of" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a quiet, collective sound or expression, often indicating a shared sentiment or reaction among a group. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While less common, it appears mostly in news and media contexts, contributing to subtle descriptions of collective feelings. When writing, remember to use it to convey atmosphere without overusing it in dialogue-heavy narratives. Related alternatives can offer nuanced variations for describing collective reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collective mumble of

Replaces "murmur" with "mumble", implying a less distinct and possibly more negative sound.

a quiet ripple of

This alternative focuses on a gentle, spreading reaction or sentiment.

a widespread whisper of

Substitutes "murmur" with "whisper", suggesting a quieter and more secretive expression.

a subdued chorus of

Replaces "murmur" with "chorus", indicating a more unified and harmonious, yet quiet, expression.

a soft undertone of

Replaces the auditory "murmur" with "undertone", focusing on a subtle, underlying feeling or sentiment.

a ripple of

Suggests a quick, transient expression of feeling spreading through a group.

a low hum of

Changes "murmur" to "hum", indicating a continuous, low-frequency sound expressing a collective sentiment.

an undercurrent of

Emphasizes a hidden or not-immediately-obvious feeling shared by a group.

a groundswell of

Shifts from sound to a rising wave of opinion or feeling, suggesting a growing sentiment.

a rising tide of

Similar to "groundswell", but emphasizes the increasing intensity of the collective sentiment.

FAQs

How can I use "a general murmur of" in a sentence?

You can use "a general murmur of" to describe a low, indistinct sound made by a group of people, often expressing a shared feeling or reaction. For example, "As the verdict was read, "a general murmur of" anticipation filled the courtroom."

What are some synonyms for "a general murmur of"?

Alternatives include "a collective mumble of", "a widespread whisper of", or "a soft undertone of", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a general murmur of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a general murmur of" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, as long as it accurately describes the situation. Its usage depends more on the context than the register.

What's the difference between "a murmur of" and "a general murmur of"?

While both phrases describe a low, indistinct sound, "a murmur of" can refer to a sound from a single source or a general ambient noise, whereas "a general murmur of" specifically implies a collective sound or expression from a group of people.