the house echoed with the sound of their smiles

[alpacinou]

Hello,

Which one is correct?

The house echoed with the sound of children's smiles.

The house echoed with the sound of children's laughter.

Is there another option?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

There are lots of options. But answer these:

- Can you see smiles?
- Can you hear smiles?
- Can you see laughter?
- Can you hear laughter?

So which word works?

 

[alpacinou]

There are lots of options. But answer these:

- Can you see smiles?
- Can you hear smiles?
- Can you see laughter?
- Can you hear laughter?

So which word works?

Honestly, I knew laughter is the right word. I just wanted to make sure.

What other options do I have? How can I make it better?

 

[Tarheel]

The house echoed with the sound of children's laughter.

That's fine as is. Not only that, it paints a pretty good word picture.

 

[alpacinou]

The house echoed with the sound of children's laughter.

That's fine as is. Not only that, it paints a pretty good word picture.

Thanks. But I always want to learn more! I'm very voracious when it comes to learning!

 

[Tarheel]

The house echoed with the sound of children's laughter. The laughter of children is the most beautiful sound there is. It's the most delightful sound.

The second line is one I previously posted on Facebook.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . .
What other options do I have? How can I make it better?

You could try other verbs. Echoed implies that the house has no furnishing, it's empty, bare. If it has furniture and rugs and drapery, the laughter won't echo. For instance, maybe the house rang with laughter.

 

[Tarheel]

I prefer a two-syllable word there ("echoed"), but it's a minor thing, and I could change my mind.

(I wonder how much difference furniture makes as to sound. (We could do an experiment. Does anybody want to try?))

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I prefer a two-syllable word there ("echoed"), but it's a minor thing, and I could change my mind.

(I wonder how much difference furniture makes as to sound. (We could do an experiment. Does anybody want to try?))

I've already been in plenty of empty houses. They all echo.

We all told Al it was fine. But then he said, "Thanks. But I always want to learn more!"

So I gave him more.