make a sound

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a sound" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing the sound a person, animal, or thing makes. For example: "The dog barked, making a sound that filled the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He doesn't make a sound.

The New Yorker

My father didn't make a sound.

The New Yorker

I won't make a sound".

The New Yorker

"Don't make a sound," the man said.

The New Yorker

He couldn't make a sound movie.

Yale University

"Don't make a sound," Bennett signs.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

We could make a sounder argument if we had quality outcome variables.

Health Care Management Science

No one made a sound.

The New Yorker

Anything that made a sound was music.

Independent

When he moved, it made a sound.

The New York Times

They made no sound; indeed, no one made a sound.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a sound" in descriptive writing, focus on the quality and characteristics of the sound to enhance the reader's sensory experience. Consider the context and choose descriptive adjectives (e.g., "make a rustling sound", "make a piercing sound") to create a vivid image.

Common error

Avoid using "make a sound" when describing situations where silence is crucial, such as during stealth operations or tense scenes in writing. Instead, emphasize the absence of sound or use phrases that highlight quietness, like "remain silent" or "hold one's breath."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a sound" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of creating or emitting an audible noise. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

13%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a sound" is a versatile and commonly used expression for describing the creation of noise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. When employing this phrase, focus on providing specific details about the sound's qualities to enhance clarity and impact. Be mindful of selecting appropriate synonyms, especially in sensitive or descriptive contexts. With a high expert rating and widespread usage, "make a sound" remains a reliable choice for conveying auditory actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give off a noise

Uses "give off" instead of "make", slightly altering the active voice.

emit an audible noise

Changes the phrasing to focus on the emission of noise that can be heard.

produce an audio signal

Replaces "sound" with "audio signal", emphasizing the signal aspect of the sound.

send forth a sound

Uses a more formal and literary phrasing.

generate an acoustic wave

Uses more scientific terminology to describe the creation of a sound wave.

articulate a sound

Highlights the clarity and distinctness of the sound.

utter a vocalization

Focuses on sounds produced vocally.

create a disturbance in the air

Describes sound production in terms of physical effect.

express audibly

Shifts the focus to the expression conveyed through sound.

resonate audibly

Emphasizes the resonating quality of the sound.

FAQs

How can I use "make a sound" in a sentence?

You can use "make a sound" to describe an action of producing noise, as in "The floorboards "made a creaking sound" as I walked" or "Please don't "make a sound"; the baby is sleeping."

What are some alternatives to "make a sound"?

Alternatives include "emit a noise", "produce a noise", or "utter a sound", depending on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the type of sound when using "make a sound"?

No, it's not always necessary. You can use "make a sound" generally, but specifying the type of sound often provides more clarity and detail, for example, "make a clicking sound" or "make a whirring sound."

What is the difference between "make a sound" and "hear a sound"?

"Make a sound" refers to the action of producing a noise, while "hear a sound" refers to perceiving a noise through hearing. For example, "The mouse "made a squeaking sound"" (produced the sound), and "I "heard a squeaking sound"" (perceived the sound).