a soft laughing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a soft laughing" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to describe a gentle or quiet form of laughter, but the construction is awkward. Example: "She let out a soft laughing sound that filled the room with warmth."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Richter's "John Kennedy, 1963," in the papier-mâché style of Cologne carnival figures, provides a soft, laughing commentary on the German-American dialogue, culturally ubiquitous in Germany during the second half of the 20th century.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'm getting a lot of interest, a lot of projects now that I didn't a year ago," she says, with a soft laugh.

The New York Times

A soft laugh.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She thought for a moment, and gave a soft laugh.

The New Yorker

It was a soft laugh, an almost soothing sound.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Well," Riley said with a soft laugh, "let's say I go way beyond Wikipedia".

The New York Times

Dalia gaped in wonder and gave a soft laugh of amazement.

The New York Times - Arts

"I said, 'Whatever it is, I'm better off than where I am,' " he recalled with a soft laugh.

The New York Times

"I'm surprised I'm here," Ms. Eden, 70, said with a soft laugh as she sat in her home in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

The New York Times

"I'm as healthy as I'm going to get," he said with a soft laugh from his Round Rock, Tex., home.

The New York Times - Sports

His teenage sister, Jamie, a junior at Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, has a soft laugh and wears silver rings on all her fingers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "a gentle laugh" or "a quiet chuckle" for clearer and more professional communication.

Common error

While "laughing" can function as an adjective, using it directly after "a soft" creates an unusual construction. Use a noun like "laugh" or "chuckle" instead to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though grammatically questionable, functions descriptively, attempting to characterize a type of laugh. It uses "soft" as an adjective to modify "laughing", which acts as a participle modifying an implied noun. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a soft laughing" aims to describe a gentle or quiet laugh, it's grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Ludwig AI confirms that the standard construction is unusual. It's better to use alternatives like "a gentle laugh" or "a quiet chuckle", especially in formal writing. Although the phrase appears in some news and media contexts, its infrequent usage and grammatical issues make it a less desirable choice. Using the suggested alternatives will improve clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gentle laugh

Replaces the participle "laughing" with the noun "laugh", creating a more standard and grammatically sound phrase.

a quiet chuckle

Substitutes both the adjective and noun, offering a more subtle and refined expression of amusement.

a suppressed laugh

Conveys a sense of holding back laughter, implying a more controlled or secretive amusement.

a faint giggle

Suggests a high-pitched and lighthearted expression of amusement, often associated with nervousness or shyness.

a low murmur of amusement

Replaces the single action with a sound description, implying a gentle and understated expression of humor.

a smile playing on their lips

Shifts the focus from audible laughter to a visual expression of amusement, suggesting a more subtle and restrained emotion.

a soft sound of amusement

Generalizes the expression to a sound, without specifying the type of laughter.

a barely audible laugh

Focuses on the quietness of the laugh, highlighting its subtle nature.

a contained chuckle

Emphasizes the control over the laugh, suggesting it's not fully expressed.

an inward smile

Moves away from audible laughter, focusing on an internal expression of happiness or amusement.

FAQs

Is "a soft laughing" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a soft laughing" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "a gentle laugh" or "a quiet chuckle".

What does "a soft laughing" mean?

While grammatically questionable, "a soft laughing" is likely intended to describe a quiet or gentle expression of amusement. However, using a more standard phrase like "a soft laugh" is clearer.

Can I use "a soft laughing" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid using "a soft laughing" in formal writing due to its grammatical awkwardness. Opt for more conventional phrases like "a gentle laugh" or "a quiet chuckle".

What are some alternatives to "a soft laughing"?

You can use alternatives such as "a gentle laugh", "a quiet laugh", or "a soft chuckle" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.