all was silent

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "all was silent" is correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase is typically used to describe a quiet atmosphere and can be used in a variety of contexts and genres. For example: The courtroom was filled with anticipation, and all was silent as the jury emerged with their verdict.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

All was silent.

The Guardian - Sport

Her yelling had its effect: all was silent.

The New Yorker

Behave!" Her yelling had its effect: all was silent.

The New Yorker

_Be_have!" Her yelling had its effect: all was silent.

The New Yorker

The lights streamed away and all was silent again.

The New Yorker

Yesterday all was silent on the third-floor hallway.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The government must surely hope this will all be silent, below the radar, ignored by the media.

The Guardian - Opinion

All is silent.

The Economist

But not all were silent.

The New York Times

They all were silent.

The New Yorker

As I watch from the sidelines, all is silent.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "all was silent" to highlight a contrast; emphasize the silence following a period of noise or chaos for a dramatic effect.

Common error

Avoid using "all was silent" when you intend to convey peacefulness alone; the phrase often carries a heavier, more expectant tone. Opt for gentler phrases like "peaceful quiet" if serenity is your goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all was silent" functions primarily as a descriptive clause, setting a scene or emphasizing a state of quiet. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's used to highlight moments of stillness before or after significant events. Ludwig AI confirms that the sentence is grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Sports

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all was silent" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used to establish atmosphere, create suspense, or highlight transitions. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and Ludwig's examples showcase its utility across diverse contexts like news, books, and even sports reporting. While versatile, it's important to consider the connotations of silence, as gentler alternatives might better suit situations where tranquility, and not anticipation, is the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete silence reigned

This alternative emphasizes the dominance of silence.

utter stillness prevailed

This alternative focuses on the complete absence of movement and sound.

a hush fell over everything

This alternative describes the sudden onset of silence.

not a sound could be heard

This alternative focuses on the inability to hear anything.

the air was completely still

This alternative emphasizes the lack of sound and movement in the atmosphere.

quiet descended

This alternative conveys the arrival of quietness.

absolute quiet prevailed

This alternative underlines the intensity of the quiet.

silence filled the air

This alternative highlights the pervasiveness of silence.

the world was muted

This alternative uses a metaphor to suggest a suppression of sound.

peaceful quiet prevailed

This alternative focuses on the tranquility of silence.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "all was silent" in a sentence?

Use "all was silent" to set a scene, create suspense, or emphasize a change. For instance, "The music stopped, and "all was silent" before the announcement" creates anticipation.

What are some alternatives to "all was silent" that I can use to describe a quiet scene?

Alternatives include "complete silence reigned", "utter stillness prevailed", or "a hush fell over everything", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "all was silent"?

While grammatically correct, "all was silent" may not be appropriate if the context requires a gentler description of quiet. If you want to convey the tranquility alone you should use the expression "peaceful quiet prevailed".

What's the difference between "all was silent" and "everything was quiet"?

"All was silent" often suggests a more profound or expectant silence, possibly following noise or preceding action. "Everything was quiet" is a more general and neutral description of a lack of noise.