What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
babbling
Example
The baby was babbling happily, trying to imitate the sounds around them. [babbling: verb]
Example
She was so excited about her trip that she couldn't stop babbling about it. [babbling: gerund or present participle]
murmur
Example
They murmured sweet words to each other as they walked hand in hand. [murmured: past tense]
Example
The murmuring of the leaves in the forest created a peaceful atmosphere. [murmuring: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Murmur is more commonly used than babbling in everyday language. Murmur has a wider range of contexts and can be used to describe various soft sounds, while babbling is more specific to the sounds made by babies or incoherent speech.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between babbling and murmur?
Both babbling and murmur can be used in informal contexts. However, murmur is more versatile and can also be used in formal settings to describe soft and indistinct sounds.