easier on the ears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easier on the ears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is more pleasant or less jarring to listen to, often in reference to music or sounds. Example: "The new version of the song is much easier on the ears than the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But the constant droning of tourist aircraft overhead, which has worsened considerably over the years, has prompted the National Park Service to propose measures to make one of America's premier natural areas much easier on the ears.

The New York Times

It is possible that Flew decided to make some passages easier on the ears of American readers or that an editor has made trivial emendations for him.

The New York Times - Books

All that work will surely make the racket coming from the garage easier on the ears, but it may create some new problems as well: traditionally, rock stars don't like chores.

The New York Times

For a more expressly, intentionally grown-up milieu that's easier on the ears, there's the Bar at the Lambs Club, a second-floor lounge of sorts that's affiliated with the ground-floor Lambs Club restaurant but stands entirely on its own, with its own entrance and (abbreviated) food menu.

The New York Times - Food

It's warmer, more soothing, easier on the ears".

Forbes

Convincing bands to pay a monthly rate for extra features may be tough, taking a percentage of dollars it earns them could be easier on the ears and wallet.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Katie Melua's easy-on-the-ear ballads have made her one of Britain's highest-grossing acts, and her record company is using the Mother's Day run-up to aggressively market her album Pictures.

Independent

It's still easy-on-the-ear easy-listening, sure, but done with skill and confidence.

The Guardian

America, meanwhile, plays easy-on-the-ears music that makes James Taylor sound like Marilyn Manson.

The New Yorker

All pretty good firsts to notch up by the composer of that lovely, easy-on-the-ear Gymnopédie.

The Guardian - Music

While a far more streamlined and easy-on-the-ear affair than his debut, Jamie T's subjects remain unflinchingly edgy.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing audio quality or sound design, use "easier on the ears" to indicate a more pleasant or less fatiguing listening experience. For example, "The remastered album is much "easier on the ears" than the original."

Common error

Avoid using "easier on the ears" as a direct synonym for 'easy listening'. While both describe pleasant sounds, "easier on the ears" focuses on the absence of harshness or discomfort, whereas 'easy listening' refers to a specific genre of music. For example, a well-produced rock song can be "easier on the ears" than a poorly mixed classical piece, but that doesn't make it 'easy listening'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easier on the ears" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing its auditory quality. It indicates that something is more pleasant or less irritating to listen to. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easier on the ears" is a grammatically correct and readily understandable expression used to describe something that is more pleasant or less irritating to listen to. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. While alternatives like "more pleasant to listen to" or "gentler on the ears" exist, "easier on the ears" succinctly conveys a positive auditory experience, emphasizing the absence of harshness. The expression is not synonymous with easy listening and is more about reduced auditory discomfort than a specific musical genre.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more pleasant to listen to

Replaces "easier" with "more pleasant", focusing on the positive auditory experience.

less harsh on the ears

Substitutes "easier" with "less harsh", emphasizing the reduction of unpleasantness.

gentler on the ears

Uses "gentler" to convey a softer, more agreeable sound.

more soothing to the ear

Replaces "easier" with "more soothing", highlighting the calming effect on the listener.

more agreeable to the ears

Emphasizes the pleasantness and acceptance of the sound.

less irritating to hear

Focuses on reducing irritation caused by the sound.

not as abrasive to the ear

Highlights the reduced roughness or grating quality of the sound.

easier to tolerate listening to

Focuses on the enhanced ability to endure the sound.

more melodious

Describes the sound as having a more pleasing musical quality.

less noisy

Focuses on the reduction of unwanted or excessive sound.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "easier on the ears"?

When something is described as "easier on the ears", it means it's more pleasant or less jarring to listen to. It suggests the sound is not harsh, irritating, or fatiguing.

How can I use "easier on the ears" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new noise-canceling headphones are much "easier on the ears" during long flights" or "The revised mix of the song is "easier on the ears" than the original version".

What are some alternatives to saying "easier on the ears"?

Alternatives include "more pleasant to listen to", "less harsh on the ears", or "gentler on the ears", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "easier on the ears" grammatically correct?

Yes, "easier on the ears" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase in English. It follows standard grammatical rules for comparative adjectives and prepositional phrases.