它强调说话的音量极低,通常用于需要保密、避免打扰他人或营造私密氛围的场景。
主要用作方式状语,修饰表示“说话、交谈”的动词(如 speak, say, tell, talk, murmur, reply 等),说明动作的实施方式。
主语 + 动词(说/讲类) + in a whisper
或 主语 + 动词 + 宾语 + in a whisper
通过不同场景的例子,更直观理解其用法:
1、 保密场景:
He spoke to me in a whisper, fearing that his boss would hear.(他轻声跟我说话,怕老板听见。)
She told me the secret in a whisper, leaning close to my ear.(她凑到我耳边,小声告诉我那个秘密。)
2、 避免打扰:
The students were talking in a whisper during the library session.(图书馆里,学生们在小声交谈。)
The mother sang the lullaby in a whisper to not wake the sleeping baby.(妈妈轻声唱摇篮曲,以免吵醒熟睡的宝宝。)
3、 回应/陈述:
When I asked about his plan, he replied in a whisper that it was still a secret.(当我问他的计划时,他轻声回答说那还是个秘密。)
The old man murmured his thanks in a whisper, too weak to speak louder.(老人轻声嘟囔着道谢,虚弱得无法大声说话。)
4、 被动句中:
The rumor was spread in a whisper among the villagers.(谣言在村民中悄悄传开了。)
in a low voice:仅强调“低声”,无“耳语”的亲密感(比如怕打扰别人时用)。
Please speak in a low voice—my head hurts.(请小声点,我头疼。)
in an undertone:更正式,指“压低声音(避免被外人听见)”,常用于严肃场景。
The lawyers discussed the case in undertones.(律师们压低声音讨论案件。)
in whispers:复数形式,强调“持续/多次的小声交谈”(如人群中的议论)。
The audience was talking in whispers before the concert started.(音乐会开始前,观众们在小声交谈。)
总结:in a whisper 更突出“耳语般的私密感”,适用于需要近距离、保密或温柔的场景;使用时只需将其放在“说/讲类动词”后,修饰动作方式即可。