whispered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whispered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe speaking very softly or quietly, often to convey secrecy or intimacy. Example: "She whispered the secret into his ear, ensuring no one else could hear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Someone would have cracked, whispered or cashed in; which points to Nakamoto being a lone operator.

The Guardian

Only I had been there to capture the moment my husband awoke the next morning and, despite being riddled with cancer, turned to me and whispered, "I can't believe how lucky I am".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is all wholly possible, Jamie whispered, you can live this fantasy too.

The Guardian

But his life off the pitch whispered "nice cup of tea" in children's crayon.

The Guardian - Sport

"He whispered: 'Kazik, do something.' "This was the most dramatic moment.

The Guardian

At times like these there is usually whispered talk about the dreaded yips, a phrase coined by Scottish golfer Tommy Armour to describe the sudden inability to perform previously automatic fine motor skills.

The Guardian - Sport

A gull cawed overhead to cry good morning to this strange tented visitor, while the sea whispered in the distance.

The Guardian - Travel

I went to Paris and I never whispered a word of it to anybody.

The Guardian

The Czech boys say "thank you" and the musicians look them straight in the eye and wish them "luck", which is the sort of thing you tend to do and say in Prague, when somebody has just whispered that the skinny youth who has asked for hash was throwing bricks and molotov cocktails at the tanks last year.

The Guardian

While the taoiseach looked on as the president seduced his adoring audience, reporters, broadcasters and commentators whispered to each other: "Enda [Kenny] should call the election now!" It is less than three months since the people of the Republic went to the polls and put Kenny's Fine Gael and the Irish Labour party into power with one of the largest majorities in history.

The Guardian

"All right, go," she whispered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whispered" to create a sense of intimacy, secrecy, or suspense in your writing. It's effective for conveying information that is meant to be shared quietly and discreetly.

Common error

Avoid using "whispered" when a character is simply speaking quietly. "Whispered" specifically implies a deliberate act of speaking softly, often to keep a secret or avoid detection. For general quiet speech, consider alternatives like "said softly" or "murmured".

Linguistic Context

Whispered functions primarily as the past tense form of the verb "whisper". It describes an action of speaking very softly. Ludwig AI confirms this is used to communicate something quietly or secretly, as seen in examples where secrets or private thoughts are shared.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whispered" is the past tense form of the verb "to whisper", indicating the act of speaking very softly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in the "News & Media" sector. It is used to convey a sense of intimacy, secrecy, or discretion. When using "whispered", ensure that it aligns with the intended meaning of quiet and discreet communication, and avoid overuse when simply indicating a low volume of speech. Alternative options include "murmured" or "softly spoken".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

murmured

Implies a low, indistinct sound, often conveying a sense of privacy or secrecy.

softly spoken

Focuses on the gentle and quiet nature of the speech.

muttered

Suggests speaking quietly and unclearly, often to oneself.

breathed

Implies speaking so softly that it's almost a whisper, often conveying intimacy or secrecy.

hushed voice

Emphasizes the quiet and subdued tone of the voice.

lowered voice

Indicates a reduction in volume, often to avoid being overheard.

understated

Highlights the subtle and restrained manner of speaking.

intimated

Suggests hinting at something without saying it directly.

confided

Implies sharing a secret or personal information in a low voice.

secretly said

Emphasizes the hidden or clandestine nature of the communication.

FAQs

How to use "whispered" in a sentence?

"Whispered" is the past tense of the verb "to whisper", meaning to speak very softly using one's breath, without vibration of the vocal cords. For example: "She "whispered" the password to him so no one else could hear".

What can I say instead of "whispered"?

You can use alternatives like "murmured", "softly spoken", or "muttered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "whispered" or "had whispered"?

"Whispered" is the simple past tense, used for actions completed in the past. "Had whispered" is the past perfect, used for actions completed before another point in the past. For example, "She "whispered" the secret" vs "She had "whispered" the secret before he asked".

What's the difference between "whispered" and "said quietly"?

"Whispered" implies a deliberate attempt to be discreet or secretive while speaking. "Said quietly" simply indicates a low volume of speech, without necessarily implying secrecy. The level of intentionality and potential hidden meaning differs.