ordinary noises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary noises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe common or typical sounds that one might encounter in everyday life. Example: "As I sat in the park, I was surrounded by the ordinary noises of children playing and birds chirping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"She was a goddamn woman!" Bill was deaf, or pretended to be; even so, ordinary noises seemed to bother him unduly.

The New Yorker

"She was a goddamn woman!" [#unhandled_cartoon] Bill was deaf, or pretended to be; even so, ordinary noises seemed to bother him unduly.

The New Yorker

Again, using resonators allows an experimenter to distinguish the component vibrations of music or ordinary noises, by first determining the prime or proper tone of the resonator, and then determining, using the resonator, whether the music or noise contains that tone.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Shannon's theorem likewise explains how computer modems can transmit compressed data at tens of thousands of bits per second over ordinary, noise-ridden telephone lines.

MIT Technology Review

Mr. Metzner uses distinctive, ambient sounds to illustrate the wildly divergent subjects he covers, and in doing so manages to make the ordinary noise of life seem extraordinary.

The New York Times

In this paper, a real-time control strategy is introduced to achieve, with ordinary noise sources and sensors, the effective suppression of the noise scattered by a 3-D surface.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Sandwiched between garbage collection and the recycling trucks were ordinary nighttime noises.

The New York Times - Travel

Sound effects ranging from music to reproduced radio broadcasts to ordinary city noises heighten the impact of the visuals.

The New York Times - Travel

His first breakfast with Alma in his London town house is another instantly emblematic scene, in which the ordinary little noises that Alma makes at the table — the scrape of a butter knife on toast, the clink of a spoon in a teacup — drive Woodcock to a quietly insolent and insulting fury.

The New Yorker

It was different – not the ordinary crowd noise – and I turned around to look.

Independent

The details you normally gloss over — the way a wall juts out or ordinary background noise — are brought to the forefront in "Eden".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary noises" to create a sense of realism or normalcy in your writing. It's effective for setting scenes and establishing a familiar atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "ordinary noises" as the sole element of description. Balance it with other sensory details like sights, smells, and textures to create a more immersive experience for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary noises" functions as a noun phrase, where "ordinary" modifies the noun "noises". According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the typical or common sounds present in an environment. The phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ordinary noises" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe commonplace, everyday sounds. While relatively rare in occurrence, Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is found in diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. When looking for alternative, consider synonyms such as "common sounds" or "everyday sounds". When using this phrase in writing, aim for a balanced description, integrating it with other sensory details. "Ordinary noises" offers a practical way to create realism and set the atmosphere in diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common sounds

This alternative replaces "noises" with "sounds", focusing on the general auditory experience without a potentially negative connotation.

everyday sounds

This alternative emphasizes the routine and commonplace nature of the sounds.

usual noises

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing 'ordinary' with 'usual'.

typical sounds

This suggests that the sounds are representative of a particular environment or situation.

routine sounds

This highlights the predictable and habitual nature of the sounds.

commonplace noises

This alternative emphasizes the lack of uniqueness or specialness of the noises.

background sounds

This focuses on sounds that are present but not necessarily the primary focus of attention.

ambient sounds

This implies that the sounds contribute to the overall atmosphere of a place.

mundane sounds

This choice suggests the sounds are uninteresting or dull.

natural sounds

This is suitable when referring to unamplified, environmental noises.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinary noises" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinary noises" to describe the common sounds of everyday life. For example, "The cafe was filled with the ordinary noises of people chatting and coffee being made."

What are some alternatives to saying "ordinary noises"?

You can use alternatives like "common sounds", "everyday sounds", or "typical sounds" depending on the specific context.

What does "ordinary noises" mean?

"Ordinary noises" refers to the typical, everyday sounds that are common in a particular environment or situation. These are sounds that are not unusual or remarkable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ordinary noises" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the mundane or unremarkable nature of the sounds. It can be useful for setting a scene or creating a sense of realism.