psst

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "psst" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to get someone's attention in a quiet or secretive way. For example, you might write "John leaned over and whispered 'Psst, did you hear the news?'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Psst! Psst!

The Guardian

They can pull off this stunt in a fifth of a second so fast that the animals' bodies are subject to between three and five times the force of gravity, and also so fast that the movement is invisible to the human eye.In this section 20,000 colleagues under the sea Twinkle, twinkle, little planet Psst.

The Economist

He has also asked a Canadian court for an injunction to stop the board of Hollinger International from blocking his sale to the Barclay brothers.In this section Two-faced capitalism Triumph of the twins Boeing down, again Psst.

The Economist

And Fresnel's countryman, Laurent Koechlin, of the Midi-Pyrénées observatory, thinks zone plates are the way to find out if there is life on other planets.In this section 20,000 colleagues under the sea Twinkle, twinkle, little planet Psst.

The Economist

The new school will be run by Robert Sullivan, formerly the dean of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.In this section Two-faced capitalism Triumph of the twins Boeing down, again Psst.

The Economist

Unlike Mr Khodorkovsky, who is believed to have earned the Kremlin's wrath for wading into politics, Alfa's owners have steered clear of the political realm.In this section Two-faced capitalism Triumph of the twins Boeing down, again Psst.

The Economist

Substitute "globalised economy" for "desert" and this describes the modern world quite well.In this section Fleecing the flock Faster, faster, faster Research in commotion Dotcom bust Psst, wanna buy a law firm?

The Economist

This is sometimes characterised as "betting on protection"—taking stakes in industries likely to benefit from swelling anti-free-trade sentiment, as America's steel industry did when President George Bush slapped (now-lifted) tariffs on steel imports in March 2002.In this section Two-faced capitalism Triumph of the twins Boeing down, again Psst.

The Economist

A dash for the deep blue sea Reprints Related items Organ transplants: Psst, wanna buy a kidney?Nov 16th 2006 Monitor: Organs to orderMar 9th 2006 Organ transplants: Donor kebabsAug 8th 2002With 27,000 road deaths a year, Iran has a tragically plentiful supply of young corpses, the association adds.

The Economist

He says that the NRO would probably have ordered spare mirrors to replace any that might have been destroyed by failed launches.In this section 20,000 colleagues under the sea Twinkle, twinkle, little planet Psst.

The Economist

The building industry anticipates that a quarter of transport ministry projects may be cancelled in 2004, threatening 70,000 construction jobs.In this section Two-faced capitalism Triumph of the twins Boeing down, again Psst.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "psst" sparingly in formal writing; it is generally more appropriate for informal contexts like dialogue or creative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "psst" excessively in descriptive passages. It is best suited for moments when a character is actively trying to get another's attention discreetly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "psst" is as an interjection. It's used to attract attention, often in a discreet or secretive manner. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, suggesting it is well-understood and accepted. Examples show it preceding a question or statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Psst" is an interjection used to attract attention quietly or secretly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and acceptability in written English. With "Common" usage frequency across various media sources, especially news outlets like The Economist and The New York Times, "psst" is best suited for informal communication. When writing, reserve "psst" for instances where attracting attention discreetly is desired. Avoid overuse, particularly in formal or descriptive passages. Consider alternatives like "hey there" or "excuse me" for more general or polite contexts. "Psst" is more suited to informal conversations or creative writing than formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Psst, over here

More directional, indicating where the speaker is.

Pssst, listen up

Implies the speaker is sending whispered information and wants the listener to pay attention.

Psst, a word

Implies a private conversation.

Quietly, hey

Attracts attention quietly, implies secrecy.

Psst, guess what

Implies excitement and a secret to share.

Hey there

A general way to get someone's attention, less secretive than "psst".

Softly, look here

Attracts attention gently and quietly.

Ahem

A non-verbal way to get attention, often used to subtly interrupt or correct someone.

Ssh

A request for silence, also used to get someone's attention quietly.

Excuse me

A polite way to get someone's attention, not necessarily secretive.

FAQs

How do you use "psst" in a sentence?

"Psst" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to get someone's attention discreetly. For example, "Psst, can you keep a secret?"

What can I say instead of "psst"?

Alternatives to "psst" include "hey there", "ahem", or "excuse me", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "psst" considered formal or informal?

"Psst" is considered informal and is more appropriate for casual conversation or creative writing than formal documents.

When is it appropriate to use "psst"?

It's appropriate to use "psst" when you want to get someone's attention in a quiet, secretive, or playful manner. It's often used to share a secret or make a discreet comment.