alarm sounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarm sounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of an alarm making a noise, typically to alert someone to a situation or event. Example: "As the fire spread through the building, the alarm sounded, prompting everyone to evacuate immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The house alarm sounded, loud, screeching, alarming as they are meant to do.

Huffington Post

An alarm sounded.

The New Yorker

No alarm sounded.

The New Yorker

The alarm sounded again.

The New York Times - Food

Sometimes a car alarm sounded.

The New Yorker

And then an alarm sounded.

The Guardian - Tech

One alarm sounded, then two.

The New York Times

The alarm sounded only as they left.

The New York Times

A long alarm sounded and didn't stop.

The New York Times - Food

A third alarm sounded, and 13 train cars started derailing.

The New York Times

When I heard the news, an alarm sounded inside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, follow "alarm sounded" with a brief explanation of what triggered it or the immediate consequences.

Common error

Avoid using overly passive constructions when "alarm sounded" can be more directly stated. For instance, instead of "It was heard that the alarm sounded", write "The alarm sounded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarm sounded" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of an alarm producing sound. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig show it used in various contexts to denote a warning or alert.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alarm sounded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the action of an alarm producing sound to signal a warning or alert. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a range of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While the phrase is clear, being specific about the type of alarm enhances understanding. Alternatives like ""alarm went off"" provide similar meanings, while avoiding passive constructions improves writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alarm went off

This alternative is a common idiom with the same meaning, focusing on the alarm's activation.

warning sounded

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing 'alarm' with 'warning'.

alarm was triggered

This alternative uses a passive voice and highlights the cause of the alarm activation.

alarm rang out

This alternative uses a more evocative verb to describe the sound of the alarm.

an alert was issued

This alternative focuses on the issuance of an alert, a more formal way of conveying the same information.

siren wailed

This alternative specifies the type of alarm and uses a descriptive verb for its sound.

klaxon sounded

This alternative uses a less common term for an alarm or horn, adding specificity.

buzzer went off

This is a more specific term for an alarm, implying a buzzing sound.

bell rang

This is a more general alternative, suggesting an auditory signal.

detection system activated

This alternative emphasizes the activation of a system, rather than just the sounding of an alarm.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "alarm sounded"?

You can use alternatives like "alarm went off", "warning sounded", or "siren wailed" depending on the context.

How to use "alarm sounded" in a sentence?

You can use "alarm sounded" to describe a situation where an alarm becomes audible, like "As the fire spread, the alarm sounded, and people evacuated the building".

What's the difference between "alarm sounded" and "alarm rang"?

"Alarm sounded" is a general phrase indicating that an alarm became audible. "Alarm rang" implies a ringing sound, which may not be appropriate for all types of alarms. Use "alarm rang" only if the alarm has a ringing sound.

Is it correct to say "the alarm sounded loudly"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say "the alarm sounded loudly". The adverb "loudly" emphasizes the intensity of the sound. However, consider if "alarm rang out" might be a more concise option.