Meaning of "speak low" and "tone down the noise"

1)I could not find the meaning of "speak low" in the dictionaries, does it have the same meaning of "lower the voice" or "speak softly"?
2) I saw a notice in a ferry, it is "Be considerate, please tone down the voice". Is there any difference with "Lower your voice"?

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Winwin2011

1)I could not find the meaning of "speak low" in the dictionaries, does it have the same meaning of "lower the voice" or "speak softly"?
2) I saw a notice in a ferry, it is "Be considerate, please tone down the voice". Is there any difference with "Lower your voice"?

Thanks.

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You got 'tone down the noise" (apart from 'dowN') in the thread title; I suppose in your post it was a slip. The difference is that 'tone down the noise' implies that there is already excessive noise.

b

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Originally Posted by BobK

You got 'tone down the noise" (apart from 'dowN') in the thread title; I suppose in your post it was a slip. The difference is that 'tone down the noise' implies that there is already excessive noise.

b

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Thanks, BobK.

I couldn't edit the thread title because I was not allowed to edit it by the computer system. Could you tell me how to do it, please? By the way, what is the meaning of "speak low' as posted in my original thread?

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Originally Posted by Winwin2011

Thanks, BobK.

I couldn't edit the thread title because I was not allowed to edit it by the computer system. Could you tell me how to do it, please?

I believe it's possible, but I don't know how. I'll ask Red5 to comment. He''ll know.
By the way, what is the meaning of "speak low' as posted in my original thread?

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Speak softly. 'Low' is what is called a 'bare adverb'. Context is important. To my ear, 'speak soft' is dubious, and 'speak lowly' is just wrong.

b

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Winwin2011

1)I could not find the meaning of "speak low" in the dictionaries, does it have the same meaning of "lower the voice" or "speak softly"? Yes.
2) I saw a notice in a ferry, it is "Be considerate, please tone down the voice". Is there any difference with "Lower your voice"? Same meaning.

Thanks.

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b.

2) I saw a notice in a ferry, it is "Be considerate, please tone down the voice".

This doesn't sound very natural to me.
Possible alternatives:
"Be considerate, please keep your voice down".
"Be considerate, please talk quietly".

not a teacher

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Winwin2011

I couldn't edit the thread title because I was not allowed to edit it by the computer system. Could you tell me how to do it, please?

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Only moderators can edit thread titles.

I've corrected it.

Rover