mumbling words

USAGE SUMMARY

"mumbling words" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone speaking in a low, unclear, or indistinct manner. Example: He was mumbling words that I could barely understand. Alternative expressions include "muttering phrases" and "mumbling phrases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The other children quickly moved away, mumbling words of disgust.

The New York Times - Health

In the end, Wakefield, exhausted and demoralized after all he has been through, delivers the White House address he's been instructed to prepare in a weary, halfhearted voice, mumbling words like "courage," "perseverance" and "new ideas" before announcing a new "10-point plan".

The New York Times

I was at a book launch by a bunch of artists and writers recently and Aecio supporters would walk past mumbling words of disdain - as if we didn't want to see a better country ourselves.

BBC

I was at a book launch by a bunch of artists and writers recently and Aecio supporters would walk past mumbling words of disdain - as if we didn't want see a better country ourselves.

BBC

With my interpreter, the session began as the shaman closed her eyes and began quickly mumbling words under her breath.

HuffPost

And so was I – standing in their midst, mumbling words to myself and hoping I wouldn't stand out.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Joanne never said a mumbling word.

The New Yorker

None of those others in the jazz world known for shooting their mouths off about race said a mumbling word.

The New York Times - Arts

This is country where the moods of nature are never experienced, much less a mumbling word heard -- either that or Ms. Gore is too much of a perfectionist to concede the existence of irregularities, let alone record them.

The New York Times

And he hasn't said a mumbling word about the institutions that have destroyed two generations of young black and brown youth, the new Jim Crow, the prison industrial complex.

The Guardian

He hasn't said a mumbling word until now.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mumbling words" to convey a character's lack of confidence, physical weakness or desire to remain unheard by others in the room.

Common error

Do not use "mumbling words" when the speaker is clearly enunciating but at a low volume; in those instances, use "whispering" or "murmuring" to ensure precision in your description.

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, "mumbling words" acts as a noun phrase or a participle phrase depending on its position. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used as the object of verbs related to hearing or as a descriptive adjunct to provide atmospheric detail about a speaker's state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

General Literature

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "mumbling words" is a grammatically Correct and effective descriptive phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most at home in narrative writing and journalism where character detail or specific vocal textures are important. While it shares some semantic space with "muttering", its focus is squarely on the lack of clarity in enunciation. Writers should use it when they want to convey that a speaker is being difficult to understand due to internal or external factors, making it a versatile tool for creating mood and character depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

muttering phrases

Suggests a more disgruntled or private tone of speaking.

speaking indistinctly

Provides a more clinical and neutral description of the speech quality.

slurring words

Implies physical difficulty or intoxication rather than just low volume.

murmuring softly

Carries a gentler or more romantic connotation compared to mumbling.

whispering phrases

Indicates a deliberate attempt to be quiet rather than a failure to enunciate.

uttering incoherently

Emphasizes that the content is completely impossible to understand.

garbling syllables

Focuses on the phonetic distortion of the sounds being made.

muttering under one's breath

Adds the spatial context of the speech being directed inward or downward.

stammering words

Focuses on involuntary pauses and rhythmic repetitions.

mouthing words

Implies moving the lips without producing any actual sound.

FAQs

How do I use "mumbling words" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an action, such as "He walked away, "mumbling words" of frustration" or as a noun phrase in "I could only catch a few "mumbling words" from the back of the room".

What can I say instead of "mumbling words"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "muttering phrases", "speaking indistinctly" or "murmuring softly".

Is it correct to say "mumbling his words"?

Yes, adding a possessive pronoun is very common in English; you might say "He was "mumbling his words" because he was exhausted".

What is the difference between "mumbling words" and "muttering"?

While both involve unclear speech, "mumbling words" often suggests a lack of enunciation or confidence, whereas "muttering" usually implies complaining or speaking to oneself in a low voice.