emit a scream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emit a scream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of producing a loud vocal sound, often in response to fear, pain, or surprise. Example: "As the horror movie reached its climax, she couldn't help but emit a scream that echoed through the theater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Does the villain emit a scream, a grunt, or a howl as he goes down?

University of Chicago

As soon as I hit the water, my only reaction was to emit a scream that resembled a mechanical bird being shot over the skies of Tokyo in a horror film.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Djokovic held to love and, as they entered a new day, Murray emitted a scream when he went 30-40 down after cruising on his serve.

The Guardian - Sport

At the kiss-and-cry, teen Lipinski leapt up and emitted a scream of joy so piercing that I wondered where I'd heard it before, and then realized that it usually accompanied fire in the skies of Westeros.

The New Yorker

When a chicken emits a scream after seeing a hawk, they claim the chicken is referring to the hawk, and not simply expressing fear of the hawk, or ordering conspecifics to take cover, crouch, and look up to the sky.

SEP

Maybe you could fashion a rudimentary Rube Goldberg machine that emits a scream and pours a bucket of hot sick on your face at bi-hourly intervals, too?

Vice

Re Mark Greif's essay "The Hipster in the Mirror" (Nov. 14): I am compelled to emit a piercing scream from my 82-year-old lungs at the jejune folly of the whole "hipster" syndrome.

The New York Times - Books

A trapped individual may squawk or emit a piercing scream, which may surprise the attacker sufficiently for the frog to escape.

Wikipedia

The devices emit an ultrasonic scream that can be picked up by sonar systems within a range of a couple of miles.

Vice

At one point, he yielded completely to the kind of onomatopoeic sound-painting he instinctively avoids, instructing the clarinet to emit a multiphonic screech that parallels a scream in the text.

The New York Times

"Well, he is not a ghost; yet every nerve I have is unstrung: for a moment I am beyond my own mastery". But if every sound you emit is a scream, a scream has no expressive value.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "emit a scream" when you want to describe the act of producing a scream in a somewhat formal or technical context. Consider alternatives like "let out a scream" for more casual writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "emit a scream" in casual conversations or informal writing may sound unnatural. Opt for more common expressions like "let out a scream" or simply "scream" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "emit a scream" functions as a verb phrase where 'emit' is the main verb and 'a scream' is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showcasing its role in describing the action of producing a loud cry.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "emit a scream" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of producing a scream. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's considered correct and is often found in descriptive writing, particularly in News & Media. While understandable, the use of 'emit' lends a slightly formal tone, suggesting that alternatives like "let out a scream" may be more appropriate for casual contexts. Although not as common as other similar phrases, "emit a scream" effectively conveys the action of expressing a scream.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let out a scream

Replaces "emit" with "let out", offering a more common and straightforward way to express the action of screaming.

utter a scream

Substitutes "emit" with "utter", emphasizing the vocalization aspect of the scream.

give a scream

Uses "give" instead of "emit", providing a slightly more informal tone.

release a scream

Replaces "emit" with "release", suggesting a sudden and uncontrolled expression of the scream.

produce a scream

Substitutes "emit" with "produce", focusing on the act of creating the sound.

voice a scream

Uses "voice" instead of "emit", highlighting the vocal nature of the action.

cry out in a scream

Adds "cry out in", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the scream.

sound a scream

Replaces "emit" with "sound", focusing on the audible nature of the scream.

bellow a scream

Uses "bellow" instead of "emit", suggesting a loud and forceful scream.

issue a scream

Substitutes "emit" with "issue", implying a more formal or official release of the scream.

FAQs

What does "emit a scream" mean?

The phrase "emit a scream" means to produce or release a loud, piercing cry, often expressing fear, pain, or excitement.

Is "emit a scream" formal or informal?

The phrase "emit a scream" leans towards the formal side. For more informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "let out a scream" or simply "scream".

What are some synonyms for "emit a scream"?

Some synonyms for "emit a scream" include "utter a scream", "give a scream", and "release a scream".

How can I use "emit a scream" in a sentence?

You can use "emit a scream" in a sentence like this: "As the roller coaster plunged downwards, she couldn't help but emit a scream of terror."