sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, noun, and even an adjective. For example, "The sound of the wind blowing through the trees was calming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the Labour leader said no, a lowing sound could be heard, the noise of an audience uniting in sceptical rejection of the man before them – a reminder that one of Miliband's greatest errors since 2010 was his failure to debunk the narrative that blames Labour profligacy for the country's fiscal troubles.

The Guardian

Sleep came easily that night in our comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, two to an en-suite tent, lulled by the sound of the waves lapping on the beach below.

The Guardian - Travel

Lest that sound like faint praise, he quickly qualifies it: earlier this week, in a day trip around Stockholm's record shops, he added 50 singles to his already mammoth Abba collection.

The Guardian - Music

The typical wheeze in asthma is a continuous whistling sound heard on breathing out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The defence offered by one of the latest care employers to be named and shamed, East Midlands Crossroads – Caring for Carers, that the rules are "complex, in parts ambiguous and open to interpretation", does not sound good.

The Guardian

Further controversy has been caused by a questionnaire sent to all Hungarians by Orban's government to sound out their views on immigration.

The Guardian

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's no way to say this that will make it sound less weird: that was the week that teenage girls started to say they fancied Ed Miliband.

The Guardian

Lucky for me, we weren't, as it may sound, in the Sahara desert, we were on the Atlantic coast, so I simply stripped down to my bikini and ran into the sea.

The Guardian - Travel

They signed to Polydor, part of the Universal Music Group, in June 2012 – the night they played a London show given five stars by the Guardian – and were named as winners of the BBC's Sound of 2013 poll in January.

The Guardian - Music

The Matrix took Oscars for the sound, visual effects and editing, and Sleepy Hollow for art direction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sound" in contexts where you want to refer to an auditory sensation, the quality of a noise, or an impression conveyed through hearing.

Common error

Avoid using "sound" when you mean "sounding" as in "sounding like". For example, instead of saying 'That sound like a good idea', say 'That "sounds like" a good idea'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sound" is as a noun, referring to an auditory sensation. It can also function as a verb, indicating the act of producing sound or conveying an impression through hearing. Ludwig confirms its versatile usage, as demonstrated in its various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Music

13%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Opinion

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sound" is a versatile term that can function as a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is frequently used in contexts related to news, music, and travel. While grammatically correct, it's important to differentiate its usage from "sounding" to avoid common errors. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English. The word's multiple meanings and wide applicability make it a valuable component in the English language, appearing in various reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and the BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noise

Refers to an unwanted or disruptive auditory sensation.

tone

Emphasizes the quality of a sound, its pitch and character.

resonance

Highlights the echoing or vibrating quality of a sound.

audio

Focuses on the recording or transmission of sound.

vibration

Stresses the physical movement causing the sound.

report

Indicates a loud, sudden noise, like an explosion.

music

Implies an organized and intentional sound pattern.

din

Suggests a loud, chaotic mixture of noises.

boom

Conveys a deep, resonant sound.

blast

Highlights a sudden and powerful sound.

FAQs

How can I use "sound" in a sentence?

The word "sound" can be used as a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. As a noun: "The "sound of music" filled the room." As a verb: "The alarm will "sound at noon"." As an adjective: "He gave "sound advice"." As an adverb: "He slept "soundly"".

What's the difference between "sound" and "noise"?

"Sound" is a general term for any auditory sensation. "Noise" often implies an unwanted or disruptive sound. All noises are sounds, but not all sounds are noises.

When can "sound" be used as an adjective?

"Sound" as an adjective means healthy, complete, or valid. For example, "a "sound mind" in a sound body" or "a "sound investment"".

Which is correct, "sound like" or "sounds like"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "sound like" with plural subjects (e.g. "They sound like they are having fun"). Use "sounds like" with singular subjects (e.g. "It "sounds like" a good idea").