Don't make noise or Don't make a noise??

[girija]

I just wanted to know which one is correct in this sentence, 'a noise' or just 'noise' ? Is it wrong to say 'Don't make a noise' ?

 

[pyoung]

Dear girija:

There is a difference.

'Don't make noise,' means exactly that: Do not do anything to create noise. Other, perhaps more common, phrases are, 'Don't be noisy,' or 'Please be quiet.' You might make this request to a group of rowdy children, or to someone having a too-loud conversation in a library or other 'quiet' place.

'Don't make a noise,' (or, more commonly, 'Don't make a sound') is something you would say if you were in a situation where it was important to be absolutely silent. Examples are: hiding, sneaking up on someone, trying not to wake someone, etc.

I hope this is helpful,

Petra

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'd mainly go with "Don't make noise" and "Don't make a sound."

"Don't make a noise" isn't a common phrase.