a trace of anger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace of anger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or subtle indication of anger in someone's demeanor or expression. Example: "She spoke calmly, but there was a trace of anger in her voice that suggested she was upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

There was not a trace of anger or bitterness in his voice.

The New York Times

When they spoke, they spoke softly, with hardly a trace of anger or frustration.

The New York Times

The kind of guard who laughed when defenders took swings at him, who sang the fight song after practice, who never showed a trace of anger.

The New York Times - Sports

As Ms. Stenham said those words, a trace of anger could be heard in her voice, and she acknowledged that the play reflected "a rage that I, and several young British female playwrights right now, are feeling".

The New York Times

"You're telling this jury that the photographer willingly" gave up his film, said Mr. Bogdanos, "without any guns, without any threats, without any people surrounding him?" Mr. Combs replied slowly, with a trace of anger, "Without any guns, without any threats, without any people surrounding him".

The New York Times

"A friend of mine recently said to me with a trace of anger in his voice, 'Did you hear about so-and-so?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, there is never a trace of self-pity or righteous anger towards the oppressors of his people, only a sadness and puzzlement as to why all peoples cannot live as one.

HuffPost

Yet there is no trace of anger in her voice.

The New York Times

And there's no trace of anger in my voice or in my looks.

University of Pennsylvania

The faintest trace of anger ripples down the phone, as she mentions the respective leaders of the two parties.

The Guardian

When my husband called I hesitated to answer the phone, but his voice sounded joyous with no trace of anger.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotions in writing, "a trace of anger" can add depth and realism. For example, instead of 'he was furious', try 'there was a trace of anger in his tone'.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of anger" when describing overt displays of anger. This phrase is best suited for subtle, almost imperceptible feelings, not for explosive reactions. For example, you should not say that "a trace of anger" was seen on a criminal during a police interrogation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of anger" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the object of a sentence or clause to describe the subtle presence of the emotion of anger. It typically modifies a verb that indicates observation or perception, as illustrated by Ludwig AI examples from reputable media sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

11%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trace of anger" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate phrase used to depict a subtle or slight presence of anger. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, lending itself well to descriptive writing where nuance is important. While subtle variations exist, alternatives like ""a hint of anger"" or ""a touch of anger"" can be employed to express a similar sentiment. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the anger is barely perceptible, avoiding its use when more intense emotions are evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of anger

Replaces "trace" with "hint", suggesting a slightly more noticeable presence of anger.

a touch of anger

Substitutes "trace" with "touch", implying a minimal but perceptible amount of anger.

a glimmer of anger

Uses "glimmer" instead of "trace", suggesting a fleeting and subtle manifestation of anger.

a shadow of anger

Replaces "trace" with "shadow", indicating a faint but present feeling of anger.

a suggestion of anger

Substitutes "trace" with "suggestion", implying a subtle indication or insinuation of anger.

a faint sign of anger

Replaces "trace" with "faint sign", making it more explicit that there is evidence of anger.

a mild degree of anger

Uses "mild degree" to quantify the anger, emphasizing its low intensity.

a subtle anger

Replaces the whole expression with "a subtle anger" that is simple but a bit less specific.

an undercurrent of anger

Substitutes "trace" with "undercurrent", indicating a hidden but underlying feeling of anger.

a wisp of anger

Uses "wisp" to imply that the anger is insubstantial and fleeting.

FAQs

How can I use "a trace of anger" in a sentence?

You can use "a trace of anger" to describe a subtle or slight indication of anger in someone's expression, tone, or demeanor. For example, "Despite her calm words, there was "a trace of anger" in her eyes".

What are some alternatives to "a trace of anger"?

Some alternatives to "a trace of anger" include "a hint of anger", "a touch of anger", or "a glimmer of anger". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a trace of anger" in formal writing?

Yes, "a trace of anger" is suitable for formal writing. The phrase is grammatically correct and not colloquial. However, ensure it accurately reflects the subtlety of the anger you are describing.

What's the difference between "a trace of anger" and "a lot of anger"?

"A trace of anger" describes a very slight amount of anger, almost imperceptible. In contrast, "a lot of anger" indicates a significant and noticeable level of anger. The two phrases describe vastly different intensities of emotion.