make no sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make no sound" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something or someone is silent or not producing any noise. Example: "The cat crept through the house, careful to make no sound as it stalked its prey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

And make no sound".

The New Yorker

THEY usually make no sound, at least in concert.

The New York Times

They make no sound; the faint hiss of old televisions has disappeared.

The New York Times

The drums make no sound, it is believed, when women play them.

The New York Times

WEIRDEST CIRCUS AUDIENCES In Japan, because they smile and laugh but make no sound.

The New York Times

It's always fascinating to me that sound because, in fact, a spaceship in a vacuum should make no sound at all.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He makes no sound.

The Guardian

I screamed but made no sound.

Independent

"It makes no sound, doesn't rustle.

The New Yorker

Quiet children, making no sound.

The New Yorker

Once insidehe makes no sound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make no sound" to emphasize stealth or secrecy in narrative writing. For instance: "The spy moved through the shadows, careful to "make no sound" as he approached the target."

Common error

Avoid using "make no sound" when describing situations where creating sound is impossible due to external factors. For example, instead of saying 'The broken speaker "made no sound"', a better phrasing is 'The broken speaker produced no sound' or 'The broken speaker was silent'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make no sound" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the absence of audible noise. It often modifies a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make no sound" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the absence of noise, according to Ludwig AI. While relatively simple in structure, it finds application across various contexts, especially within News & Media and Academia. Alternative phrases, such as "remain silent" or "produce no noise", can be used to add nuance or formality. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of stealth, secrecy, or general quietness. Moreover, as evidenced by Ludwig, you can choose a proper alternative or double check grammar agreement with a different tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

produce no noise

A more technical or formal way to say "make no sound".

not make a peep

Implies refraining from even the slightest noise.

remain silent

Focuses on the act of keeping quiet.

fall silent

Describes the action of becoming quiet.

utter not a word

Emphasizes the complete absence of speech.

keep mum

An informal way of saying to keep quiet.

hold one's tongue

Focuses on restraining oneself from speaking.

become mute

Implies a temporary or permanent inability to speak or make noise.

hush

A command to be quiet.

quiet down

An instruction to reduce noise levels.

FAQs

How can I use "make no sound" in a sentence?

You can use "make no sound" to describe actions emphasizing stealth or silence, like, "The ninja moved swiftly, careful to "make no sound"" or to describe objects that are not producing any noise.

What can I say instead of "make no sound"?

Alternatives include "remain silent", "utter not a word", or "produce no noise" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "made no sound" instead of "make no sound"?

Yes, "made no sound" is the past tense form of "make no sound" and is grammatically correct. Use "made" when referring to a past event: "The burglar "made no sound" as he crept through the house last night".

What's the difference between "make no sound" and "don't make a sound"?

"Make no sound" is a statement of fact or a general instruction, while "Don't make a sound" is a direct command or warning. For example, "Auroras "make no sound"", versus ""Don't make a sound", the guard is approaching".