sustained chatter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained chatter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe ongoing or continuous conversation or noise, often in a social or informal context. Example: "The café was filled with sustained chatter, creating a lively atmosphere that made it hard to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I enter the venue, a tucked-away nightclub called the Mash House that usually hosts diverse music nights, only to be met with that unmistakable sound of heavy attacks connecting with faces, Hadoukens billowing across stages, and the sustained chatter of gamers discussing Street Fighter V's new changes, reworked flow, and stunning PS4 visuals.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

His icons are so reductive, they just stimulate chatter instead of sustained looking.

The Guardian - Arts

Buried up to her solar plexus in a mound of dirt, Winnie does her best to sustain a blithe, chattering monologue.

The New York Times

On a show that aspired to bring together women of all types, O'Donnell pushed the limits of what cheery daytime chatter could sustain, and "The View" became more heated and more interesting as a result.

The New Yorker

The digital revolution has heated up our social interaction to the point where it has severely damaged our ability for sustained analytical thought, making the aesthetic encounter fraught with jarring interruptions and the chatter of competing visual and aural stimuli.

The New York Times - Books

One opened with knocking, stop-start drums; one with twitchy, chattering electronics that could have turned into a dance track (but didn't); one with spacious, sustained feedback tones.

The New York Times - Arts

Diasporas have sustained us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hope sustained her.

The New York Times

Justice Michael Obus sustained it.

The New York Times

We sustained ourselves.

The New York Times

Sustained again.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sustained chatter" to describe a background noise of conversation, especially in environments where numerous people are talking simultaneously. It effectively paints a picture of a lively or busy atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "sustained chatter" when you intend to describe a deep or meaningful discussion. The term implies a light, often inconsequential, level of conversation rather than profound or structured dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained chatter" functions as a noun phrase, where "sustained" modifies the noun "chatter". It describes a state of continuous or prolonged conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability as a descriptive term, characterizing background noise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustained chatter" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts to describe a continuous background of conversation. While relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms its validity as a descriptive term. Alternatives include "continuous murmuring" and "ceaseless chatter". When using "sustained chatter", remember that it implies a light, continuous level of conversation, suitable for describing a lively atmosphere, but not deep or meaningful dialogue. It's important to recognize that the context is key in determining how the phrase can be best utilized. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ceaseless chatter

This alternative simply replaces "sustained" with "ceaseless" to denote constant and ongoing chatter.

Continuous murmuring

This alternative emphasizes the low, indistinct quality of the sound, focusing on its uninterrupted nature.

Prolonged discussion

This phrase highlights the conversational aspect and the extended duration of the talk.

Unrelenting conversation

This emphasizes the persistent and unbroken nature of the dialogue.

Perpetual murmur

This focuses on the constant, low sound of voices, suggesting a background hum.

Unending babble

This suggests a continuous flow of possibly meaningless or trivial talk.

Constant prattle

This implies a ceaseless, lighthearted, and somewhat foolish conversation.

Enduring hum of voices

This shifts the focus to the ambient sound created by multiple conversations.

Incessant nattering

This conveys a sense of annoying, persistent talk, often about unimportant things.

Nonstop exchange

This highlights the continuous back-and-forth nature of the conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "sustained chatter" in a sentence?

"Sustained chatter" typically describes the background noise of many people talking at once. For example, "The restaurant was filled with the "sustained chatter" of diners enjoying their meals."

What's a good substitute for "sustained chatter"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "continuous murmuring", "prolonged discussion", or "ceaseless chatter" /s/ceaseless+chatter.

Is "sustained chatter" formal or informal?

"Sustained chatter" is generally considered neutral in tone. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts where you need to describe the sound of ongoing conversation.

What does "sustained" mean in "sustained chatter"?

In the phrase "sustained chatter", "sustained" means continuous or prolonged. It emphasizes that the chatter is not just a brief burst of noise but rather an ongoing sound.