a specific sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific sound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular auditory signal or noise that is distinct from others. Example: "The musician was able to replicate a specific sound that resonated with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Music

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You shouldn't feel restricted or shackled to a specific sound.

The Guardian - Music

We don't tell ourselves we should have a specific sound.

The Guardian - Music

In many cases, noise ordinances are spawned from complaints regarding a specific sound.

The New York Times

At the time, disco didn't describe a specific sound or a unified scene.

The New Yorker

He even has a specific sound — cool and bright — assigned to the moon.

The New York Times - Arts

Hit music really is a specialty genre now, with a specific sound that's only rarely violated.

The New York Times - Magazine

For a few years, "Aussie hip-hop" signified a specific sound: broad accents, basic production and blokey attitudes.

The Guardian - Music

Given that the city is so widespread and scattered it is hard aside from traffic to detect a specific sound.

The Guardian

Conversely, the band has a specific sound: cymbals and tom-toms, the clarity and sustain of Mr. Cisneros's Rickenbacker bass.

The New York Times - Arts

Normally, a specific sound frequency activates a specific population of hair cells located at a specific position within the cochlea.

The New York Times - Science

Beside the track of the singer's voice, Scott had recorded a tuning fork, so that someone studying the phonautogram could measure the duration of a specific sound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an auditory experience, use "a specific sound" to clearly indicate a particular sound among others, ensuring precise communication.

Common error

Avoid using overly vague descriptors alongside "a specific sound". Instead of saying "a specific interesting sound", aim for more descriptive adjectives like "a specific resonant sound" or "a specific high-pitched sound".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific sound" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "specific" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "sound". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It denotes a particular auditory signal or noise distinguished from others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Arts

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a specific sound" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote a particular and identifiable auditory event, distinguishing it from others. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "a particular sound" or "a distinct sound" exist, the choice depends on the precise nuance you wish to convey. When using "a specific sound", ensure it's accompanied by descriptive adjectives for clarity. The prevalence of this phrase across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, underscores its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular sound

Replaces "specific" with "particular", maintaining the same meaning and emphasis on a distinct sound.

a distinct sound

Substitutes "specific" with "distinct", highlighting the uniqueness and clarity of the sound.

a unique sound

Emphasizes the one-of-a-kind nature of the sound, replacing "specific" with "unique".

a characteristic sound

Focuses on the sound being typical or representative of something, altering the nuance slightly.

a signature sound

Highlights the sound as being identifiable and associated with a particular source or style.

a precise sound

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness in the sound, changing the focus from general specificity.

a certain sound

Uses "certain" in place of "specific", indicating a sound that is known or identified, but perhaps not explicitly described.

a defined sound

Highlights the clarity and explicitness of the sound.

a selected sound

Refers to a sound that has been intentionally chosen.

an individual sound

Emphasizes the separateness and uniqueness of the sound, rather than its specificity.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific sound" in a sentence?

You can use "a specific sound" to refer to a particular auditory signal, such as, "The engineer was able to isolate "a specific sound" within the recording."

What are some alternatives to "a specific sound"?

Alternatives include "a particular sound", "a distinct sound", or "a unique sound" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a specific sound" or "a certain sound"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a specific sound" implies a more precise or defined auditory experience, while "a certain sound" can be more general or indefinite.

In what contexts is "a specific sound" most appropriate?

"A specific sound" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the particularity and identifiability of an auditory event, such as in scientific studies, music production, or audio engineering.