a voice behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"a voice behind" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is speaking from a position or location that is not visible or known at first. Some possible examples are: - "As I was walking down the dark hallway, I suddenly heard a voice behind me." - "The voice behind the curtain had a British accent." - "When the character turned around, she saw a mysterious figure with a voice behind the mask."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A voice behind me.

The New York Times

I heard a voice behind me in the street.

The New Yorker

"I didn't hear that," said a voice behind her.

Harvard Business Review

"It's the Scorpion," shrieks a voice behind me.

The Guardian - Travel

"Lecturing about shadows?" a voice behind Kwartler said.

The New Yorker

We heard a voice behind us say: "Brackets?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Quite suddenly, a voice from behind says "10 o'clock, 40 feet!" and a silvery shadow slips into view.

The New York Times - Travel

"Have a look," a quiet voice behind the mask said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Like what you see?" a voice said behind me.

The New Yorker

"Never made what?" a voice booms behind him.

The New Yorker

"Not cowboy torture", says a voice from behind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a voice behind" to create suspense or mystery in narratives. This phrasing effectively indicates an unknown or unseen speaker.

Common error

Avoid using "a voice behind" when the speaker's identity is already known or immediately revealed. This diminishes the phrase's intended effect of suspense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a voice behind" primarily functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb of perception (e.g., heard, noticed). It introduces an auditory element with an implication of the speaker's position, creating anticipation or suspense as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a voice behind" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce an unseen speaker, often creating suspense or mystery. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, primarily in news and media. To enrich your writing, consider semantically related alternatives like "a voice from the rear" or "an unseen speaker". When using this phrase, aim to amplify the narrative impact by carefully managing the timing and revealing the speaker's identity only when it serves the story best.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a voice from the rear

Specifies the location of the voice as coming from the back, similar to "a voice behind".

a voice in the background

Indicates the voice is not in the foreground or main focus, adding a sense of distance or obscurity.

a voice at one's back

Emphasizes the proximity and position of the voice, suggesting closeness and potential influence.

an echoing voice

Highlights the reverberating quality of the voice, changing the focus to the sound's characteristics.

a disembodied voice

Suggests the voice lacks a physical source or body, adding an element of mystery.

an unseen speaker

Focuses on the hidden nature of the speaker, emphasizing their lack of visibility.

a prompting voice

Shifts the emphasis to the guiding nature of the voice, implying it offers suggestions or instructions.

a hidden source speaking

Highlights that the source of the voice is not visible.

an unexpected utterance

Implies the voice was surprising or unanticipated, drawing attention to the timing.

a hushed tone from behind

Specifies the manner in which the voice is speaking from behind.

FAQs

How can I use "a voice behind" in a sentence?

Use "a voice behind" to indicate that someone is speaking from a position that is not immediately visible. For example, "As she walked down the dimly lit street, she heard "a voice behind" her whispering her name."

What does "a voice behind" typically imply?

The phrase "a voice behind" often suggests mystery, surprise, or a hidden presence. It can create suspense by concealing the speaker's identity or intentions.

Which is more descriptive: "a voice behind" or "a voice in front"?

"A voice behind" tends to be more descriptive because it suggests a hidden or unexpected presence, contrasting with "a voice in front", which implies a more direct and visible interaction.

What can I say instead of "a voice behind"?

You could use phrases like "a voice from the rear", "a voice in the background", or "an unseen speaker" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.