shattered voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shattered voice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a voice that is broken or strained, often due to strong emotions such as grief, fear, or exhaustion. Example: "As she spoke about her loss, her words came out in a shattered voice, barely holding back tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In a shattered voice, she said, "I need hugs these days".

The New York Times - Magazine

There's plenty of that in this California country star's songs, delivered in his raspy, shattered voice with a matter-of-fact darkness.

The New York Times - Arts

In a few places on this album, Rihanna is clearly emotionally invested, as on "Loveeeeeee Song," a striking, affecting duet with Future, the Atlanta rapper-turned-singer with the digitally shattered voice.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Florence Andrews is in glass-shattering voice as the head teacher who needs to take off her specs and indulge her passion for Stevie Nicks: she even pulls off the Queen of the Night aria.

The Guardian

On tour promoting the song, McKuen shattered his voice, turning it from syrupy tenor to deep rasp.

The Guardian - Music

So instead, the story trots out a sole distaff representative in the ludicrous form of Bianca Castafiore (Kim Stengel), a dowager diva with a barrel build and a glass-shattering voice.

The New York Times

Because Castiel's true voice shattered windows in his premiere episode, Collins decided to use a "gruff, resonant voice" for the character.

Wikipedia

His booming voice shattered the silence.

The New York Times

Levy draws Bernard with amazing compassion, giving this shattered man a voice.

The Guardian - Books

The characters closest to his heart were Kurt (the wonderful Chris Colfer), whose clear soprano voice shattered the bigotry around him like a champagne glass, and his best friend, the Jewish diva Rachel, a Barbra-worshipping ugly duckling with a crush on a popular jock.

The New Yorker

The characters assembled on stage were discussing their imminent eviction from the Russian dacha that has been their home, when their contemplation was shattered by a voice announcing in a strong Wolverhampton accent over the theatre loudspeakers: "Car needed to take a party to the station".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shattered voice" to vividly depict characters experiencing intense emotional distress, grief, or trauma. It adds depth and realism to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "shattered voice" excessively, especially in scenes that are already heavily laden with melodrama. Reserve it for moments of genuine emotional impact to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shattered voice" functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun to convey a particular state of being. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, this phrase often arises in narrative contexts, particularly when portraying characters in distress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shattered voice" is an effective way to describe a voice that is broken or strained due to intense emotions, as supported by Ludwig AI. It’s grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the nuance you wish to convey – whether it's profound sadness, trauma, or simply a weakened state. While powerful, avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "broken voice" or "tremulous voice" may be more suitable depending on the specific emotional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broken voice

Replaces "shattered" with a synonym indicating emotional distress or weakness.

cracked voice

Suggests the voice is breaking, perhaps due to emotion or puberty.

strained voice

Highlights the effort or tension in the voice.

tremulous voice

Indicates a voice that is shaking due to nervousness or emotion.

fragile voice

Suggests a delicate or easily broken quality in the voice.

faltering voice

Implies a voice that is hesitant or unsteady.

emotion-filled voice

A more descriptive way to express the strong feelings affecting the voice.

raspy voice

Focuses on the rough or grating quality of the voice.

weak voice

Indicates a lack of strength or volume in the voice.

hoarse voice

Describes a voice that is rough and husky, often due to illness or overuse.

FAQs

How can I use "shattered voice" in a sentence?

You can use "shattered voice" to describe someone speaking with a voice that sounds broken or strained due to strong emotions. For example, "She recounted the accident in a "shattered voice", barely holding back tears."

What's the difference between "shattered voice" and "broken voice"?

While both phrases are similar, "shattered voice" suggests a more extreme form of emotional distress, implying a complete fracturing of the voice's normal tone. "Broken voice" can indicate sadness or a physical ailment, while "shattered voice" is most appropriate with a very emotional situation.

Are there situations where "tremulous voice" might be a better alternative than "shattered voice"?

Yes, if the character's voice is shaking due to fear, nervousness, or uncertainty, "tremulous voice" is more appropriate. "Shattered voice" emphasizes emotional devastation rather than simple anxiety.

What are some other phrases similar to "shattered voice" that I can use for variety?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "fragile voice", "strained voice", or "faltering voice" to depict different nuances of a voice affected by strong emotion or distress.