silence gaps

USAGE SUMMARY

"silence gaps" is a correct phrase and usable in written English.
It can be used as a metaphor for times of unease or awkwardness, or for spaces between conversations or events. An example sentence is: "We waited in a tense silence gap as the judge passed down the verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"The program has silence gaps that shouldn't happen on the radio, and you can tell she's inexperienced," said José Cabrera Riesgo, a retired reporter for Spanish-language radio, which is an influential source of political news and commentary here.

The New York Times

Compared to a previously proposed PF algorithm, the experimental results demonstrate the improved robustness of the method described in this work when tracking sources emitting real-world speech signals, which typically involve significant silence gaps between utterances.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

One of the main issues when considering real-world situations involving human speakers is the temporally discontinuous nature of speech signals: the presence of silence gaps in the speech can easily misguide the tracking algorithm, even in practical environments with low to moderate noise and reverberation levels.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The task required was raising hand whenever they were able to identify the silence gaps, in milliseconds (ms).

BioMed Research International

The test materials consist of series of 6-second white noise stimuli, separated from each other by a 5-second silent interval, in which 0 to 3 silence gaps of different durations (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20 ms) were embedded within each segment.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As seen in Figure 6, the phone recognition algorithm showed a tendency to overestimate (set too early) the onset phone boundary for these burst consonants; on the other hand, the duration of the silence gap before or after the burst may also be condition dependent.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

And as per usual, when silence gapped the conversation, an ear-width grin graced his face and a bout of hyperventilated laughter sweetened him into something kinder than a cartoon honey bear.

Huffington Post

Detection of a silence gap embedded in noise requires the fine processing of temporal structures of sound and deficits in temporal resolution have been associated with impairments in learning, reading, and phonological processing [ 44].

BioMed Research International

Silence – those gaps punctuating the riffs – was as vital a component of the AC/DC sound as ear-splitting volume.

The Guardian - Music

Silence creates gaps in habitual thinking that benefit all, including the instructor.

Duke University

Behind the Scenes and Life After Life both co-opt the family – its evolution over time, its exponentially multiplying characters and storylines, its silences and gaps in communication – and use it to show how fiction works and what it might mean to us.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "silence gaps" when referring to intentional or unintentional pauses in audio or communication, especially in technical or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "silence gaps" in everyday conversations; simpler terms like "pauses" or "quiet moments" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "silence gaps" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to describe specific intervals or breaks within audio or communicative contexts. Ludwig provides examples where it refers to both literal silences in audio signals and metaphorical gaps in conversations or relationships.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "silence gaps" refers to pauses or intervals of quiet, particularly within the context of audio streams, speech patterns, or conversations. Grammatically sound and identifiable as a noun phrase, its primary use lies in scientifically examining audio segments or denoting communicative pauses. As Ludwig highlights, while "silence gaps" is a correct phrase, it's more suited to formal contexts than casual conversation. Its usage is relatively infrequent, primarily appearing in scientific and news media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporal silences

Highlights the time-based attribute of the silence.

pauses in speech

Focuses specifically on the temporal aspect of silence during speech.

speech discontinuities

Focuses on the broken or interrupted nature of the speech pattern.

interruptions in sound

Highlights the disruptive nature of silences within a broader auditory context.

auditory absences

Emphasizes the lack of sound within a particular timeframe.

breaks in conversation

Emphasizes the silence as a divider within a communicative exchange.

communication voids

Stresses the emptiness created by the absence of communication.

lulls in dialogue

Suggests a temporary period of quietness in a conversation.

quiet interludes

Implies brief periods of silence offering respite or contrast.

moments of quiet

Refers to short durations of calm and stillness.

FAQs

What does "silence gaps" mean?

The phrase "silence gaps" refers to pauses or intervals of silence, often within a stream of sound, speech, or communication. These gaps can be intentional or unintentional and may have communicative or technical significance.

How can I identify "silence gaps" in audio?

Identifying "silence gaps" in audio typically involves analyzing the waveform and amplitude of the sound signal. Software tools can help detect periods where the amplitude falls below a certain threshold, indicating silence.

What are some alternative phrases for "silence gaps"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "pauses in speech", "breaks in conversation", or "quiet interludes".

Why are "silence gaps" important in speech analysis?

"Silence gaps" can provide important cues about speech patterns, speaker intent, and emotional state. They are also crucial in fields like speech recognition and audio processing.