a loaded silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a loaded silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a silence that is filled with meaning, tension, or unspoken thoughts, often in a dramatic or emotional context. Example: "As the argument escalated, there was a loaded silence in the room, each person contemplating their next words carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would run whole passages of text — Baudelaire, Rilke, Ponge, whomever I'd been reading, even my own small works in progress — through my head, forward, backward, taking apart each image, amplifying each metre and sub-rhythm in the loaded silence.

The New Yorker

It's hard not to enjoy the incredibly loaded silence between "Praise be" and "It isn't yours".

Vice

Any reference to Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi will sail over their heads, and they will never know the loaded, entrancing silence in which those superior monsters advanced upon their prey.

The New Yorker

In plants, miRNAs are processed from the stem-loop regions of long primary transcripts by a Dicer-like enzyme and are loaded into silencing complexes, where they generally direct the cleavage of complementary mRNAs [ 17].

BMC Genomics

The miRNAs are loaded into a silencing complex, called RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and can guide the complex to the target mRNAs.

BMC Genomics

Web pages that took 10 seconds to load in silence took 60 seconds or more with radio accompaniment.

The New York Times - Travel

Moreover, miRNA biogenesis is a complex and highly regulated multi-step process (see [ 5, 18, 49] for a review) that finally leads to a mature miRNA loaded into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) which is actually the active form that can downregulate the target mRNAs.

BMC Systems Biology

Importantly, however, most fly miRNAs are loaded into a different silencing complex, Ago1-RISC, by an unknown mechanism independent of Dcr-2/R2D2 [ 18].

BMC Genomics

Finally, most of the ta-siRNAs are loaded into AGO1 silencing complexes to guide target cleavages (Peragine et al., 2004; Vazquez et al., 2004; Allen et al., 2005; Gasciolli et al., 2005; Xie et al., 2005; Yoshikawa et al., 2005; Rajagopalan et al., 2006).

Rice

Only a single strand (mature miRNA) is loaded into RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) while a near complementary strand, miRNA star (miRNA*), is degraded [ 54, 55].

BMC Genomics

miRNA is loaded into a miRNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and directed to the target mRNA by pairing with sequences in the 3′UTR of target mRNA, leading to either degradation of mRNA or translational suppression.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a loaded silence" to create dramatic effect or emphasize unspoken tension between characters or within a scene. It's effective when used sparingly to highlight pivotal moments.

Common error

Avoid using "a loaded silence" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Vary your descriptions of silence with more subtle or nuanced language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a loaded silence" functions as a noun phrase, where "loaded" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "silence". It describes a specific type of silence, one that is full of unspoken meaning or tension, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a loaded silence" describes a moment brimming with unspoken meaning, tension, or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not frequently used, it effectively conveys emotional weight, appearing in diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. For similar expressions, you might consider "a pregnant pause" or "a tense silence". Use it strategically to enhance the dramatic impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pregnant pause

Emphasizes anticipation and unspoken meaning before something is said or happens.

a tense silence

Highlights the feeling of strain and nervousness during the silence.

an electric silence

Suggests a charged atmosphere with anticipation or suppressed emotion.

a significant pause

Highlights the importance and meaning conveyed by the silence.

an uncomfortable silence

Focuses on the awkwardness and unease felt during the silence.

a meaningful silence

Emphasizes the depth and unspoken communication within the silence.

a weighty silence

Highlights the burden or importance associated with the silence.

an unspoken tension

Shifts focus from the silence itself to the feeling it represents.

a palpable silence

Stresses the tangibility and intensity of the silence.

an expressive silence

Highlights how the silence itself is a form of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "a loaded silence" in a sentence?

You can use "a loaded silence" to describe a moment filled with unspoken tension or meaning. For example, "After the accusation, a loaded silence filled the room."

What is another way to say "a loaded silence"?

Alternatives include "a pregnant pause", "a tense silence", or "an electric silence", each conveying a slightly different nuance of unspoken meaning.

What does "loaded" mean in the context of "a loaded silence"?

In this context, "loaded" means filled with unspoken emotions, tension, or significance. It suggests the silence is not empty but rather carries a heavy weight of meaning.

Is "a loaded silence" formal or informal?

"A loaded silence" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the writing style and the situation being described. It's suitable for narrative writing, dramatic scenes, and even some analytical contexts.