whispered
whispered — verb
- whisperedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- whispereds3rd person singular
- whispereding-ing form
- whisperededpast simple
1. to produce words using your breath alone, keeping the sound so low that people s
to produce words using your breath alone, keeping the sound so low that people standing further away cannot make out what is said
Mei whispered the answer to her friend during the exam.
whisper + noun phrase (direct object pattern)
The children leaned close and whispered their secret plan while the teacher helped another student.
whisper + noun phrase as direct object pattern
Ananya leaned over and whispered something in her brother's ear.
Kenji whispered that there was a spider crawling up the wall.
Olga whispered a warning to the driver just before the deer crossed the road.
文法句型
whisper + noun phrase + to + person
whisper + that-clause
whisper + to + person
用法筆記
Frequently used with a direct object (whispered the news) or a that-clause (whispered that…). Intransitive uses are typically followed by to + person or in + body part (ear).
常見錯誤
2. to spread a piece of information or a rumour secretly, without saying it openly
to spread a piece of information or a rumour secretly, without saying it openly or confirming that it is true
It is whispered among the office staff that the CEO plans to resign after the financial report is released.
passive: it is whispered + among + that-clause (rumour pattern)
For years, people whispered about the hidden treasure in the old castle.
The workers whispered that the factory might close before the holidays.
A scandal involving the mayor was whispered throughout the small town.
文法句型
it is whispered + that-clause
be whispered + to be
用法筆記
Most common in the passive construction it is whispered that…, which implies the information is unconfirmed. The active form (people whispered that…) carries the same meaning of secrecy.
常見錯誤
whispered — noun
1. the act of producing speech so softly that people nearby cannot understand the w
the act of producing speech so softly that people nearby cannot understand the words
Diego lowered his voice to a whisper so no one else could hear.
collocation: lower your voice to a whisper
The librarian asked the students to speak in a whisper while reading.
collocation: speak in a whisper
Fatima dropped her voice to barely a whisper when she mentioned the accident.
Arjun could hear the soft whisper of his mother praying in the next room.
文法句型
in a whisper
speak in a whisper
drop to a whisper
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase in a whisper (adverbial). The singular form is typical; the plural whispers is used when referring to separate instances.
2. a quiet, gentle sound that reminds you of someone whispering, like leaves moving
a quiet, gentle sound that reminds you of someone whispering, like leaves moving in the wind or water flowing softly
The only sound was the gentle whisper of leaves in the autumn wind.
collocation: gentle whisper of [nature sound]
Sofia listened to the whisper of the waves as she sat on the beach.
As the evening breeze picked up, a soft whisper came from the bamboo leaves outside the window.
The whisper of rain against the window helped Hana fall asleep.
文法句型
whisper + of + nature sound
用法筆記
Often used with of followed by a natural element (wind, leaves, water, rain). The sound is always soft and gentle, never harsh.
3. a piece of news or a rumour that spreads among people without being openly confi
a piece of news or a rumour that spreads among people without being openly confirmed or officially announced
Wei heard a whisper that the school was planning a surprise trip.
whisper + that-clause (unconfirmed news pattern)
Whispers about the new restaurant spread quickly around the neighborhood.
There have been whispers of a merger between the two companies for months.
Amina ignored the whispers about her promotion and focused on her work.
文法句型
whispers + of + noun phrase
whispers + that-clause
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural (whispers) when referring to rumours or gossip. The singular is rare in this sense and typically appears with a that-clause (a whisper that…).