out of tune

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of tune" is a valid and widely used phrase in written English.
You can use it when something is not in harmony with something else. For example: "The vocalist was singing out of tune with the rest of the band."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Your piano is out of tune.

The New Yorker

Sameer apologized about the piano being out of tune.

The New Yorker

From the rehearsal building, an out of tune trumpet sounds.

Vice

He's aggressively out of tune.

The New York Times - Arts

And out of tune.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He's out of tune.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

And with an out-of-tune sound on the piano.

The Guardian - Music

Out-of-tune Mexican tubas would drive her nuts.

The New York Times - Travel

(He encourages her out-of-tune singing and high kicks in karaoke bars).

The New York Times

Four or five others, including one out-of-tune instrument at the al-Deira hotel.

BBC

Each group was exposed to one of five different background stimuli (in-tune fast, in-tune slow, out-of-tune fast, out-of-tune slow, and noise).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, use "out of tune" when discussing musical elements rather than broader concepts of misalignment, where terms like "not aligned" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "out of tune" to describe situations that are merely 'not in agreement' when there is no musical element involved. Opt for more fitting phrases like "in disagreement" or "at odds" to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to musical instruments or voices. It signifies a state of incorrect pitch or disharmony. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing instruments, voices, and even figurative scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of tune" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something not in harmony, particularly in a musical context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and versatile. While primarily used literally to describe instruments or voices, it can also be employed figuratively to indicate a lack of alignment or agreement. While Ludwig examples are predominantly from "News & Media", the phrase appears across "Wiki", and "Science" contexts. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning, avoiding figurative use when a more precise term like "in disagreement" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in harmony

Focuses on the lack of musical agreement.

off-key

Specifically refers to a musical note being incorrect.

discordant

Emphasizes a harsh or unpleasant sound due to lack of harmony.

dissonant

Similar to discordant, highlighting the lack of agreement in sound.

not in sync

Indicates a lack of synchronization, applicable both musically and figuratively.

unharmonious

A more formal way of saying not in harmony.

lacking consonance

Technically describes the absence of agreeable sound combinations.

astray

Suggests a deviation from an established or correct path or sound.

unmelodious

Highlights the lack of a pleasing melody.

not aligned

Broader term indicating a lack of agreement or correspondence.

FAQs

How can I use "out of tune" in a sentence?

You can use "out of tune" to describe a musical instrument or voice that is not producing the correct pitch, such as, "The piano was noticeably "out of tune" during the performance."

What's the difference between "out of tune" and "off-key"?

"Out of tune" generally refers to an instrument or voice not producing the correct pitch, while "off-key" primarily describes a voice singing incorrectly. They are often interchangeable, but "out of tune" can apply more broadly.

What can I say instead of "out of tune"?

Alternatives include "not in harmony", "discordant", or "dissonant", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone is "out of tune with reality"?

While "out of tune" primarily relates to music, it can be used figuratively to mean someone is not in touch or agreement with current circumstances. However, alternatives like "out of touch" or "disconnected" might be more precise.