to be shouted over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be shouted over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is speaking loudly enough that their voice is dominating or drowning out others. Example: "In the heated debate, many important points were to be shouted over by the louder voices in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Teenagers hate to be shouted over.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Day after day, young Americans continue to voice their support for real health care reform, but are merely being shouted over by those who wish to see nothing changed.

Huffington Post

But who takes kindly to being shouted at like that? 2nd over: South Africa 399-1 (Smith 178, Kirsten 26 First run of the day off James Anderson, a leg bye after Smith took the first delivery on his thigh.

The Guardian - Sport

Order lobster and clams at one window, fried foods at the other, and wait until your name is shouted over a loudspeaker.

The New York Times - Travel

Alarming tornado warnings were being shouted over on the local radio stations.

BBC

Actually, the man tries to speak but is unable to – Stacey is shouting over him.

Independent

"Please keep the noise down," I said to the lad who was shouting over at his friend.

Huffington Post

-- the conversation turned to test scores, and the next thing we knew, Kira was shouting over to friends at the next table, asking them what they got on their SATs.

The New York Times

3 p.m. 1) DEEPER SHADES OF BLUE "It's just like the Caribbean!" the tour guide, Kevin Hickey, is shouting over his paddle.

The New York Times - Travel

"In Germany I was on the side and they were shouting over a bit of banter, it's a great bunch".

BBC

I could barely hear him - he was shouting over the phone and told me there were hundreds of students celebrating with him on the street.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be shouted over" when emphasizing the dominance of louder voices or noises that make it difficult for someone or something to be heard. Ensure the context clearly indicates that the shouting is the reason for the inability to be heard.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "to be shouted over" with phrases that imply physical elevation or dominance. This phrase specifically means being overwhelmed by loud voices, not literally being above something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be shouted over" is as a passive verb phrase. It describes a situation where the subject is the recipient of the action (being shouted over), rather than the actor. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase describes a situation where someone is speaking loudly enough that their voice is dominating or drowning out others.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be shouted over" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe being overwhelmed by louder sounds or voices. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's often found in news and media contexts to highlight situations where communication is hindered by noise. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare. Consider alternatives like "to be drowned out" or "to be lost in the noise" for greater clarity or impact depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be drowned out

Focuses on the complete suppression of sound, implying an inability to be heard at all.

to be overpowered by noise

Highlights the dominance of surrounding noise, making it hard to communicate effectively.

to be lost in the noise

Emphasizes the inability to be distinguished from the surrounding sounds or voices.

to be overwhelmed by voices

Focuses on the emotional or psychological impact of being surrounded by many voices.

to have one's voice suppressed

Highlights intentional or unintentional silencing or marginalization.

to be superseded by louder voices

Implies a displacement or replacement of one's voice by more dominant ones.

to be unable to make oneself heard

Focuses on the speaker's inability to project their voice effectively due to surrounding noise.

to be muffled by the din

Highlights the indistinctness caused by a loud and chaotic environment.

to be obscured by the clamor

Indicates that the message is difficult to perceive due to the surrounding commotion.

to be stifled by the volume

Emphasizes the restriction of audibility due to high sound levels.

FAQs

How can I use "to be shouted over" in a sentence?

Use "to be shouted over" to describe a situation where someone's voice or a particular sound is being drowned out by louder voices or noises. For example: "In the chaotic meeting, her concerns were "to be shouted over" by the more assertive members".

What are some alternatives to "to be shouted over"?

Alternatives include "to be drowned out", "to be overpowered by noise", or "to be lost in the noise", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to be shouted over"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that the reason someone or something is not being heard is due to louder voices or sounds overpowering them. It implies a competitive audibility scenario.

Is "to be shouted over" a formal or informal expression?

It is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits appropriately. More formal alternatives, like "to be suppressed", might be preferable in highly formal situations.