a dramatic hush

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dramatic hush" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense silence, often in a theatrical or suspenseful context. Example: "As the final scene unfolded, a dramatic hush fell over the audience, heightening the tension in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There was a dramatic hush.

The Guardian

He described a visit to Mao's tomb, and his voice fell into a dramatic hush: "They took me to a large temple, immense, how can I tell you?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Columbia's men's varsity lightweight crew scored its biggest victory in 77 years of lightweight competition, winning the Joseph Wright Trophy for varsity eights today in a dramatic finish that hushed the crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

The last time state TV tried to hush up such a dramatic and nationally important event was when all three main channels completely blanked the protests that followed the disputed parliamentary election in 2011.

BBC

A dramatic criticism.

The New Yorker

A dramatic rock windup.

The New Yorker

"Not a dramatic one".

Forbes

Image caption A dramatic front page at The National claims to publish, for the first time, "the full story of a secret oil report, hushed up to suppress support for independence".

BBC

A dramatic goth boy?

WikiHow

Try a dramatic hat.

WikiHow

"A hush, a hush — every whisper stopped," Stoughton recalled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dramatic hush" to create a sense of anticipation or heightened emotion in your writing. It's particularly effective in describing theatrical or suspenseful moments.

Common error

Avoid using "a dramatic hush" in everyday situations where the silence isn't particularly significant or theatrical. Opt for simpler descriptions like "quiet" or "silence" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dramatic hush" functions as a noun phrase, where "dramatic" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "hush". Ludwig provides examples where it describes a sudden and noticeable silence, often in anticipation of an event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dramatic hush" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and intense silence, often in a theatrical or suspenseful context. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting its use in describing moments of heightened anticipation. When writing, reserve "a dramatic hush" for situations where the silence is truly significant and contributes to the overall drama. Otherwise, consider using simpler alternatives like "sudden silence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A breathless hush

Focuses on the suspenseful and anxious nature of the silence, implying held breath.

An expectant hush

Stresses the anticipation associated with the silence, rather than its dramatic nature.

Tense silence

Emphasizes the feeling of tension that accompanies the silence, rather than its theatrical quality.

Heavy silence

Highlights the oppressive and weighty nature of the silence.

Sudden silence

Focuses on the abrupt cessation of sound, omitting the element of drama.

A palpable silence

Conveys the tangible feeling of silence, focusing on its intensity.

Abrupt stillness

Highlights the lack of movement and sound, differing from the query by emphasizing physical stillness.

Pin-drop silence

A common idiom highlighting extreme quiet, but lacks the dramatic emphasis.

Profound quiet

Underscores the depth and completeness of the quietness.

Complete quiet

A simple description of silence, lacking the intensity and drama of the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a dramatic hush" in a sentence?

You can use "a dramatic hush" to describe a sudden, intense silence, especially in moments of high tension or anticipation. For example, "As the magician revealed his final trick, "a dramatic hush" fell over the audience".

What's a less theatrical alternative to "a dramatic hush"?

For less theatrical situations, consider using phrases like "sudden silence", "quiet moment", or "brief pause".

Is "a dramatic hush" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a dramatic hush" leans towards descriptive and evocative language. In formal writing, consider more neutral terms like "sudden silence" if the dramatic effect isn't intended.

What feeling does "a dramatic hush" evoke?

"A dramatic hush" typically evokes feelings of suspense, anticipation, or awe. It suggests that something significant is about to happen or has just occurred, creating a moment of heightened awareness.