become quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

"become quiet" is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "The students grew silent, becoming quiet as the teacher entered the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Life had become quiet.

The New York Times

He squeezed in next to Helou, who had become quiet.

The New Yorker

Some big investment banks have become quiet on the subject.

The New York Times - Tech

Neutr., to become quiet, to lull, subside: postquam tempestas sedavit, Auct.

Harvard University

With luck it will be commemorated in a region that has become quiet again.

The Economist

"I come here and I wonder when it will become quiet here.

The New York Times - Sports

When I go through taper, and my body starts resting, I become quiet.

The Guardian - Sport

She had become quiet and withdrawn and Lessing kept asking her what was the matter.

The Guardian - Books

A consummate salesman with no shortage of ego, he is miserable when things become quiet.

The New York Times

Over the years, Jim watched his parents become quiet givers not only to MIT, but to many other charitable causes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Once or twice during the flight, when the cabin would become quiet, we'd again hear those sleigh bells.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become quiet" to describe a change in someone's behavior or mood, consider adding context to explain the reason for the change. For instance, "He seemed anxious at first, but he began to "become quiet" as the meditation progressed".

Common error

Avoid using "become quiet" when a more direct verb would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The room had "become quiet" by itself", use "The room stilled" or "The room quieted down" to convey a more active sense of change.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "become quiet" is to act as a stative verb phrase, indicating a change of state. It describes the process of transitioning into a state of reduced noise or activity, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become quiet" signifies a transition to a state of reduced noise or activity and is considered grammatically correct by Ludwig. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is frequently employed across diverse sources, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, denoting its versatility. This phrase functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a change in environment, mood, or behavior. Related alternatives include "fall silent", "quiet down", and "grow still". When using "become quiet", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the change, and avoid passive constructions for a more direct and impactful expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quiet down

A phrasal verb directly synonymous with "become quiet".

grow quiet

An alternative phrasing using "grow" instead of "become".

become silent

Replaces "quiet" with "silent", maintaining the same core meaning.

fall silent

Emphasizes the sudden cessation of noise or speech.

lapse into silence

Suggests a more gradual or passive transition to silence.

grow still

Focuses on a reduction of movement and activity, suggesting a sense of calm.

become hushed

Conveys a sense of anticipation or reverence along with the silence.

subside

Implies a gradual calming or lessening of intensity.

settle into stillness

Highlights the feeling of calmness reached upon ceasing movements and sounds.

turn mute

Implies complete and sudden silence, often due to a specific cause.

FAQs

What does "become quiet" mean?

The phrase "become quiet" means to transition into a state of reduced noise or activity. It often refers to a decrease in sound, speech, or movement.

What can I say instead of "become quiet"?

You can use alternatives like "fall silent", "quiet down", or "grow still" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "became quietly"?

While grammatically possible, "became quietly" is less common than "became quiet". "Became quietly" usually modifies the manner in which something happened, while "became quiet" describes a change in state.

How to use "become quiet" in a sentence?

You can use "become quiet" to describe a physical space (e.g., "The forest "become quiet" as night fell") or a person's state (e.g., "She "become quiet" after hearing the news").