siren sounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "siren sounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of a siren making a noise, often in the context of emergencies or alerts. Example: "As the storm approached, the siren sounded, warning residents to take shelter immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The tsunami siren sounded, Mr. Iskandar said.

The New York Times

After Mass, while Father Kleinsorge was reading the Prayers of Thanksgiving, the siren sounded.

The New Yorker

Fire engines and ambulances wailed; a siren sounded continuously from the local city office.

Independent

He was back home by seven, just as the siren sounded its sustained warning.

The New Yorker

Even as the siren sounded, there were tweets saying as much.

The Guardian - Sport

Unless the prison siren sounded for an escapee, another recalls, no one locked their front doors.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Siren sounds from the port and traffic noise punctuated the taped music; nothing broke the spell.

The New York Times - Arts

A siren sounds, signalling a lunch break, but few people move.

The Economist

A siren sounds outside in the drive and moments later four policemen surround Clegg.

The Guardian

When the siren sounds in the "wave" tone, "danger is currently taking place".

The New York Times

When a siren sounds, you want to yell at them to quit their stargazing and run inside.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using alternatives like "siren went off" or "alarm was raised" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "siren sounded". For example, don't use "siren sounds" when referring to a past event where the siren has already made a sound. Stick to the past tense form for completed actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "siren sounded" primarily functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a siren emitted a sound. This is often used to report an event or occurrence, particularly in contexts involving alerts or emergencies, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "siren sounded" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to indicate the activation of a siren, primarily found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. While simple and direct, it effectively conveys urgency and a call to attention. Alternatives like "siren went off" or "alarm was raised" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure proper tense usage and consistency with the surrounding context to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

siren went off

Emphasizes the sudden activation of the siren.

siren blared

Highlights the loud, intense nature of the siren's sound.

siren began to sound

Describes the starting moment when the siren began producing noise.

alarm was raised

Focuses on the action of alerting others to a potential danger.

emergency siren blared

Highlights that the siren indicates an emergency.

warning siren activated

Specifies that the siren is designed to warn people of imminent danger.

the klaxon sounded

Uses a specific term, "klaxon", for a loud, attention-grabbing horn or siren.

air raid siren wailed

Indicates a specific type of siren used during air raids, with a prolonged, mournful sound.

alarm bell rang

Replaces the siren with a more general alarm system, but maintains the alerting function.

the alarm echoed

Uses a verb that describes the sound in terms of reverberation to denote a feeling of urgency and ubiquity of the alarm.

FAQs

How can I use "siren sounded" in a sentence?

You can use "siren sounded" to indicate that a siren was activated. For example: "The tsunami "siren sounded", warning the coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "siren sounded"?

Some alternatives include "siren went off", "alarm was raised", or "siren blared".

Is it correct to say "the siren is sounded" instead of "siren sounded"?

While "the siren is sounded" is grammatically correct, it is less direct and less commonly used than "siren sounded", which is a more concise and active way to express the same idea.

What is the difference between "siren sounded" and "sirens sounded"?

"Siren sounded" refers to a single siren, while "sirens sounded" indicates that multiple sirens were activated. For example: "The "siren sounded" after the earthquake", versus "Sirens sounded across the city after the attack".