ominous tone

USAGE SUMMARY

"ominous tone" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or atmosphere that suggests something bad or threatening is about to happen. Example: As the storm clouds rolled in, the farmer's voice took on an ominous tone as he warned his family to quickly gather their belongings and seek shelter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The TV ads have an ominous tone.

The New York Times

The ominous tone is no accident.

The New York Times - Sports

"The Chamber" went for titillation and an ominous tone.

The New York Times - Arts

"So who does agree with Mitch?" it asks in an ominous tone.

The New York Times

The letter carries an ominous tone, which stops just short of delivering a threat.

The New York Times

The offense went three and out on the game's opening possession to set an ominous tone.

The New York Times - Sports

There, laying a wreath at a war memorial, Kirill struck a slightly more ominous tone.

The New York Times

An ominous tone hums in the background as strobe lights swirl against the dark background of a soundstage.

The New York Times - Arts

The data "reinforces the ominous tone on Wall Street, along with the fears we have about Europe".

The New York Times

Chevron's splashy advertisements strike an ominous tone: "It took us 125 years to use the first trillion barrels of oil.

The Economist

These fixations, fed by a vigilantly nationalist press, are lending an ominous tone to the electoral campaign, just now beginning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ominous tone" to foreshadow negative events or create suspense in writing. It effectively conveys a sense of impending doom or unease.

Common error

Avoid stating that someone's voice has an "ominous tone" too frequently in dialogue. Instead, show the tone through word choice, pacing, and the character's actions to maintain subtlety and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ominous tone" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "ominous" is an adjective modifying the noun "tone". It describes a particular quality or characteristic of something, often a voice, atmosphere, or situation, as illustrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Arts

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ominous tone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English, serving to create a sense of foreboding or impending danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse contexts, predominantly within News & Media, but also appearing in Arts and Music. It’s crucial to wield this phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in dialogue and ensuring it authentically enhances the atmosphere you aim to create. The phrase’s versatility and clear communicative purpose make it a valuable tool for writers seeking to evoke suspense and unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreboding atmosphere

Emphasizes the atmosphere created rather than the specific tone.

threatening feeling

Focuses on the emotional response elicited, using a more direct term.

menacing mood

Highlights the mood, suggesting a presence of danger or evil.

portentous air

Uses a more formal term ("portentous") to describe an atmosphere filled with signs of future events, often negative.

ill-boding sentiment

Implies a feeling or opinion that indicates something bad will happen.

unsettling quality

Focuses on the disturbing or disquieting aspect of something.

dark undercurrent

Suggests a hidden or underlying sense of negativity or threat.

eerie quality

Focuses on the strange and unsettling nature of something, bordering on the supernatural.

sinister atmosphere

Directly describes an atmosphere that is evil or wicked.

grim feeling

Emphasizes a feeling of hopelessness and negativity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "ominous tone" in a sentence?

Employ "ominous tone" to describe situations or atmospheres that suggest something bad is about to happen. For instance, "The news report carried an ominous tone, hinting at potential economic collapse."

What are some alternatives to "ominous tone"?

You can use alternatives like "foreboding atmosphere", "threatening feeling", or "menacing mood" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say someone "sounded" with an ominous tone, or is there a better phrasing?

While grammatically correct, it's often more effective to describe the way someone spoke or the words they used to convey an "ominous tone". For example, "His voice took on an ominous tone as he warned of the impending danger."

What's the difference between "ominous tone" and "serious tone"?

"Ominous tone" implies a sense of impending threat or negativity, while "serious tone" simply indicates a lack of levity or humor. An ominous tone often suggests something bad will happen, whereas a serious tone just conveys importance or gravity.