a note of excitement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a note of excitement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or atmosphere that conveys enthusiasm or eagerness. Example: "The announcement of the new project brought a note of excitement to the team meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Talking about jobs he would like to do, a note of excitement creeps into his voice.

The Economist

Of course, cellphones are even better than purses because they can inject a note of excitement into an otherwise tedious scene.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Peel was never one for hype or eulogy, but somewhere within the lugubrious voice and deadpan delivery, I thought I heard a little note of excitement and perhaps even an adjective of praise.

The Guardian - Music

A genuine note of excitement seeps into Omar's guarded badinage when he describes giving oral sex as "feeling the power of all creation fill you up until you are all creation" and "just losing yourself in the fact that you are right up there in the gate of fucking life, and you get to drink it up all you want".

The New Yorker

His aptly titled "An old niche for your new need" at Esther Schipper elevated the 16 September galleries opening night into a high note of excitement.

HuffPost

The small, which has not transcended his name, came into the world and the joy and excitement of their parents and loved by both families, Another note of excitement for the pair on Tuesday: Bardem was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the Mexican drama, 'Biutiful.'.

Huffington Post

His excitement came with a note of caution, however.

Vice

At moments like that, Whatever People Say... defies you not to join in the general excitement, but it's worth sounding a note of caution.

The Guardian - Music

He has never had a bright, metallic top, which robs his high notes of excitement.

The New York Times - Arts

Through the pain and disappointment of a second straight defeat in the finals, Kidd probably took note of the excitement.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Walder was emphatic when discussing the prospect of a revised fare structure, noting with a hint of excitement that "you can see creative and innovative things that would happen with this".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a note of excitement" to subtly indicate enthusiasm or anticipation without being overly effusive.

Common error

Avoid using "a note of excitement" when the context calls for a stronger, more explicit expression of enthusiasm. Choose more direct phrasing if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a note of excitement" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object complement in a sentence. It describes a discernible element or indication of the emotion of excitement. Ludwig provides examples that show its use in various contexts to subtly convey enthusiasm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a note of excitement" is a noun phrase used to subtly convey enthusiasm or anticipation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare. It appears primarily in news and media, and formal business contexts. To subtly indicate the presence of enthusiasm, the phrase is best employed when you want to use more direct phrasing if the situation warrants it. While the phrase is used correctly, it is recommended to consider the intensity of the feeling that you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of anticipation

Emphasizes the anticipation aspect, rather than the overt excitement.

a tinge of enthusiasm

Conveys a milder degree of excitement, suggesting a subtle positive feeling.

an air of eagerness

Focuses on the eagerness and willingness that accompanies excitement.

a buzz of anticipation

Uses 'buzz' to portray excitement as a lively and energetic feeling.

a spark of enthusiasm

Suggests a sudden and brief moment of excitement or interest.

a thrill of anticipation

Conveys excitement as a thrilling or pleasurable experience that is looked forward to.

a sense of heightened interest

Indicates an increased level of interest and engagement.

an undercurrent of enthusiasm

Suggests excitement is present but not immediately obvious or overt.

a wave of anticipation

Describes excitement as a surging and overwhelming feeling.

a ripple of eagerness

Suggests a light, spreading feeling of anticipation, less intense than excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "a note of excitement" in a sentence?

You can use "a note of excitement" to subtly convey enthusiasm or anticipation. For instance, "There was "a note of excitement" in her voice as she spoke about the upcoming trip".

What are some alternatives to "a note of excitement"?

Alternatives include "a hint of anticipation", "a tinge of enthusiasm", or "an air of eagerness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a note of excitement" in formal writing?

Yes, "a note of excitement" can be used in formal writing to subtly indicate enthusiasm or anticipation, but ensure the tone remains appropriate for the context. Consider stronger alternatives like "obvious enthusiasm" when the context requires a stronger expression.

What's the difference between "a note of excitement" and "a surge of excitement"?

"A note of excitement" suggests a subtle indication of enthusiasm, while "a surge of excitement" implies a sudden, strong burst of emotion. Choose the phrase that best matches the intensity of the feeling you want to convey; "a surge of excitement" is more intense.