the clock chimed

USAGE SUMMARY

"the clock chimed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase to describe the sound of a clock striking or ringing. Example: As the sun began to set, the clock chimed 6 o'clock, signaling the end of the workday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The clock chimed.

The New Yorker

At dinner, as the clock chimed "God Save the Queen," Garech read from a memoir by a member of the Bloomsbury circle about a dinner party in this same room, in the 1930s.

Forbes

I told him stories from our youth as the clock chimed his final hours.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Then I hear the clock chiming again.

The New Yorker

The clock chimes nine and the TV is switched on.

The New Yorker

Then the clock chimes — the whole Westminster followed by nine dings.

The New Yorker

When the clock chimes eleven, the Major and his wife go to bed.

The New Yorker

The silence is broken as the clock chimes 7.45am, and the doors swing open.

The Guardian

But soon enough the Spirit of Television Yet to Come will rattle and moan at the door, and it won't be as the clock chimes in "The Colbert Report".

The New York Times - Arts

They read, "The clock chimes away to keep a record of men and women, some leaving behind the mark of great and lofty souls, while others leave naught but the remains of worm-eaten bones".

The New York Times

Francis Ford Coppola's film features an alarmingly identical plot: Val Kilmer is a "bargain basement Stephen King" who gets plot advice from hero Edgar Allen Poe when he nips through a wormhole after – yep – the clock chimes midnight.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the clock chimed" to set a specific time or create a traditional or slightly old-fashioned atmosphere in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses with "the clock". Ensure you are using the past tense "chimed" when referring to a past event; using present or future tenses may not accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the clock chimed" functions as a simple declarative statement describing an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples provided showcase this function, illustrating how the phrase depicts a moment in time being marked by a clock's sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the clock chimed" is a grammatically sound and evocative phrase used to denote the sound of a clock marking time. While relatively infrequent in broader contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, it finds primary usage in News & Media. It is appropriate for a range of registers, generally neutral in tone, and serves to set scenes or mark specific moments in narratives. Alternatives such as "the bell rang" or "the hour struck" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired context and atmosphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the bell rang

Replaces the general term "clock" with the specific term "bell" and uses "rang" instead of "chimed."

the hour struck

Uses a more formal and traditional way to describe the passing of time using the verb "struck".

the timepiece sounded

Employs a more descriptive term "timepiece" and verb "sounded" offering a slightly different tone.

the clock announced the hour

Replaces "chimed" with a more descriptive verb phrase "announced the hour" indicating a clear signal of time.

the clock signaled the time

Uses "signaled" to convey the clock's function of indicating time, differing slightly in imagery from "chimed".

the chimes echoed

Focuses on the sound itself using "chimes" as a noun and "echoed" to describe its resonance.

the bell tolled

Implies a more solemn or significant moment marked by the ringing of a bell.

the hour chimed out

Adds "out" to "chimed" to emphasize the completion of the hour being marked.

the clock's chimes resonated

Rephrases to highlight the resonant quality of the clock's sound.

a chime sounded from the clock

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the sound originating from the clock.

FAQs

How can I use "the clock chimed" in a sentence?

You can use "the clock chimed" to indicate a specific time or to create a sense of atmosphere. For example: "As midnight approached, "the clock chimed", signaling the new year."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "the clock chimed"?

Alternatives include "the bell rang", "the hour struck" or "the timepiece sounded", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is "the clock chimed" formal or informal?

"The clock chimed" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards traditional or literary use.

What does it mean when "the clock chimed"?

When "the clock chimed", it means that the clock produced a ringing sound, usually to indicate the hour or a fraction of the hour.