admiring tone

USAGE SUMMARY

'admiring tone' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the manner in which someone speaks to someone else that conveys respect, admiration, or appreciation. For example, "He spoke about his daughter with an admiring tone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the admiring tone is reserved for the right kinds of people.

The Guardian

My mother became worried that her grandson was getting brainwashed after she heard him say in an admiring tone, "They did it for the emperor".

The New York Times

The very title of your July 10 editorial -- "Skyscrapers Grow in Brooklyn" -- reflects the admiring tone The Times has adopted in discussing it.

The New York Times

Dr. Reed's admiring tone, tinged with wonder, gives no hint that over the last 30 years he has seen countless patients that do not look terribly different from Zver.

The New York Times - Style

Ms. Phillips writes "James Tiptree Jr". in a dry but admiring tone that is well suited to feminist analysis of Tiptree's double life, less adept at capturing the wildness of science fiction.

The New York Times - Books

(Indeed, it's hard to think of a Westerner who has really understood our country since Sir Richard Burton sneaked inside, in 1854. And, considering what he wrote about the sexual practices of our women -- even if he wrote in an admiring tone -- he studied us with rather too much enthusiasm).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Forgive the return to a familiar furrow, but why is it that on the relatively rare occasions these titans concede to interviews, they barely seem to be interrogated, and are spoken to instead in the reverential and admiring tones normally reserved for inventors or eccentric scientists?

The Guardian - Opinion

Steel draws some of the same adjectives, though not always in admiring tones.

Los Angeles Times

Yet, to my outsider's ears at least, men like Thiel are still mostly interviewed in the admiring tones reserved for eccentric inventors, despite the fact they are obviously far more powerful than most politicians and often possessed of rather more chillingly questionable views.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sydney Pollack's 2005 documentary on Frank Gehry was admiring in tone, but at least included some outside perspective on the Bilbao Guggenheim designer, even incorporating the views of his psychiatrist.

The Guardian - Arts

In old clips, he talks about Carson's longevity as a host, in admiring, uncomprehending tones; now he's been on longer than Carson, and Leno is just a memory, a zillionaire waxing his dozens of fancy cars.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character or speaker, use "admiring tone" to subtly reveal their feelings towards the subject of their speech without explicitly stating them.

Common error

Be cautious of using "admiring tone" when the context suggests sarcasm or insincerity. Ensure the tone genuinely reflects admiration to avoid miscommunication. Listen for clues like exaggerated praise or context that contradicts the stated admiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admiring tone" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a verb like 'spoke', 'said', or 'described'. It indicates the manner in which something was expressed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admiring tone" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe speech that conveys respect, approval, or appreciation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable expression in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it helps to add nuance to descriptions of interactions and attitudes. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context genuinely reflects admiration to avoid misinterpretation. Related phrases like "respectful demeanor" or "reverential voice" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impressed intonation

Specifically points to the speaker's intonation showing they are impressed.

reverential voice

Highlights a more formal and deeply respectful vocal expression.

complimentary way of speaking

Highlights the positive and flattering nature of the speech.

respectful demeanor

Focuses on the overall behavior rather than just the tone of voice.

appreciative inflection

Focuses on the specific change in tone to show appreciation.

approving manner

Emphasizes the approval being conveyed, rather than the admiration.

laudatory style

Indicates a style of speaking or writing that praises something.

favorable expression

Emphasizes the positive and supportive communication.

positive regard

Focuses on the underlying feeling of respect and esteem.

supportive attitude

Indicates a general disposition of providing encouragement and approval.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "admiring tone" in a sentence?

Use "admiring tone" to describe a speaker's voice when they express respect or appreciation. For example, "She spoke of her mentor in an "admiring tone", highlighting his guidance and support."

What's a good alternative to "admiring tone" that still conveys respect?

You could use phrases like "respectful demeanor", "reverential voice", or "appreciative inflection" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context and nuance you want to express.

How does "admiring tone" differ from a simply 'positive' tone?

"Admiring tone" specifies a particular kind of positive tone, one that expresses respect, approval, or high regard. A generic positive tone might simply be cheerful or optimistic, without necessarily implying admiration.

When is it inappropriate to describe someone's speech as having an "admiring tone"?

It would be inappropriate if the speaker is being sarcastic, condescending, or insincere. The tone must genuinely reflect admiration for the description to be accurate and credible. Consider, for example, someone expressing supportive attitude