Collocations for tone - noun
1. quality of a sound, especially of the human voice
ADJ.
deep, low | falling, rising
The rising tone of her voice emphasized her panic.
The rising tone of her voice emphasized her panic.
hushed, quiet, subdued
speaking in hushed tones
speaking in hushed tones
clear, ringing | sharp, shrill, stentorian, strident | gravelly | dry, even, expressionless, flat, level, measured, neutral
The question was posed in a flat tone.
The question was posed in a flat tone.
normal, reasonable | brisk, businesslike, matter-of-fact
She answered him in a brisk, matter-of-fact tone.
She answered him in a brisk, matter-of-fact tone.
commanding, firm, forthright | formal | sepulchral, solemn | dramatic, urgent | casual, offhand | bright, conversational | gentle, mild, pleasant, soft, sympathetic, warm
Her tone was mild, almost conversational.
Her tone was mild, almost conversational.
dulcet, honeyed
(both often ironic) We heard the dulcet tones of the sergeant, bawling at us to get on parade.
(both often ironic) We heard the dulcet tones of the sergeant, bawling at us to get on parade.
clipped, cool, curt, frigid, hard, harsh, icy
In cool, clipped tones, he told her what had happened.
In cool, clipped tones, he told her what had happened.
aggressive, biting, contemptuous, disapproving, dismissive, ironic, mocking, patronizing, sarcastic, sardonic, scathing, threatening
His tone was faintly mocking.
His tone was faintly mocking.
aggrieved, reproachful, shocked | bantering, conciliatory, conspiratorial, reverential, wheedling
VERB + TONE
adopt, speak in, take
When she heard my accent, she adopted a warmer tone. | Don''t you take that tone with me.
When she heard my accent, she adopted a warmer tone. | Don''t you take that tone with me.
soften | change | interpret
Her tone was hard to interpret.
Her tone was hard to interpret.
TONE + VERB
change
His tone changed dramatically when he saw the money.
His tone changed dramatically when he saw the money.
convey sth, imply sth, indicate sth, suggest sth | betray sb/sth, give away sb/sth
Her tone betrayed her impatience.
Her tone betrayed her impatience.
PREP.
in a/the ~
‘You ought to have thought of them,’ she said in a reproachful tone.
‘You ought to have thought of them,’ she said in a reproachful tone.
in ~s of
‘I don''t believe it!’ cried Henry in tones of utter amazement.
‘I don''t believe it!’ cried Henry in tones of utter amazement.
PHRASES
a tone of voice
I didn''t like his tone of voice; I felt he was being condescending.
I didn''t like his tone of voice; I felt he was being condescending.
2. general quality/style of sb/sth
ADJ.
dominant, general, overall, prevailing
The general tone of the report was favourable.
The general tone of the report was favourable.
moral, political, social
The newspaper sets a high moral tone in its editorial about politicians'' private lives.
The newspaper sets a high moral tone in its editorial about politicians'' private lives.
favourable | negative | comic, humorous
VERB + TONE
set
Her enthusiastic speech set the tone for the day''s conference.
Her enthusiastic speech set the tone for the day''s conference.
PREP.
in ~
His letter was verynegative in tone.
His letter was verynegative in tone.
3. shade of a colour
ADJ.
light, muted, neutral, pale, pastel, soft
muted tones of grey and brown
muted tones of grey and brown
dark, deep | rich, warm | earthy, flesh, grey, natural, silvery | colour | skin
What is your natural skin tone?
What is your natural skin tone?
4. on the telephone
ADJ.
dial/dialling, engaged
VERB + TONE
get
I keep getting the engaged tone.
I keep getting the engaged tone.